Art of Swords

Rare Swiss Halberd

• Dated: circa 1663-81
• Measurements: Head 36 cm. Overall length 216 cm
• Provenance: Almost certainly the Kanton Arsenal, Zurich. The arsenal inventories record in 1663 an order for two-hundred halberds from “Meister Lampert Koller, dem Schmied zu Würenlos”

The halbert is forged in Zurich type, of so-called Sempach type and features its maker’s mark of Lemprecht or Lambert Koller. The head is formed with a triangular central spike tapering to a strongly reinforced point.

It has an angular axe-blade with slightly curved cutting-edge and faceted short socket extending to form a pair of long straps. Each are retained by five nails fixed on a 19th century octagonal wooden haft with fragments of an inventory label.

Source: © Hermann Historica

Small Tombak Gilt Copper Keris

• Dated: circa 1800

 A small size Keris from Borneo Banjarmassin region featuring a hilt formed from gilt-copper known as Tombak in the eastern world. It is finely adorned with decorative lines of Intan stones, possibly diamonds, and one small red stone. The blade of pamor steel is waved.   

Source: © 2013 Ashoka Arts

Short sword (yatagan) with scabbard

• Dated: 1820
• Culture: Istanbul, Turkey
• Medium: Steel, silver, gold, walrus ivory, embossed and chased
• Measurements: Length: 60.9 cm, blade
• Inscription: Name of the maker, and a date, A.H 1236 (A.D.1820) and also “Property of Ahmed.”

Judging from the inscription, the sword probably belonged to Ustad Ahmed.

Source & Copyright: The Wallace Collection

Spanish Court Sword

• Dated: third quarter of the 19th century

The elaborately cast grip with crown pommel, the guard with the badge of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem enameled in orange. Straight, double-edged blade struck, “FABRICA DE TOLEDO 1868” at the forte.

Sidenotes:

• The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Latin: Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani, OESSH) is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the pope. It traces its roots to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade.
• In 1496, Pope Alexander VI created the office of Grand Master of the Order, and the office vested in the papacy. The office of Grand Master remained vested in the papacy until 1949. Since then a cardinal has been grand master. The Pope is sovereign of the Order, and it enjoys the protection of the Holy See and has its legal seat at Vatican City.
• Five major orders were formed in the Holy Land between the late 11th century and the early 12th century: the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre (circa 1099), Knights Templar (circa 1118), Knights Hospitaller (circa 1099) (St John), Knights of the Hospital of St Mary of Jerusalem (Teutonic Knights) and Knights of St Lazarus.

Source: © Auction Flex

Sidenotes source: © Wikipedia

Napoleonic Hunting Sword

• Dated: Late 18th-early 19th century
• Measurements: Overall length 84.3 cm

A massive example with engraved silver-gilt mounts and reeded bone grip tapering from the broad oval pommel cap to the crescent guard. The wide blade lightly curved and single-edged, and expanded toward the tip, with blued and gilt panel for the first third decorated with foliate motifs and stands of arms to either side.

Source & Copyright: Auction Flex

German Swept-Hilt Rapier

• Dated: circa 1600
• Culture: German
• Measurements: length 112 cm

The sword features an unknown maker’s mark on the ricasso. On the blade there’s the following text: “ESPADERA EN ALEMANIA” on one side and “MISINAL ESEL NOMBRE D’JESUS” on the other side.

Source & Copyright: Bolk Antiques