Antique Arms & Militaria

A Rare 19th Century King's Knife of the Zande or the Mengbetu People, A Trombash Power Authority Knife

A long Knife consisting of a short cylindrical wooden handle, round in section, with a flat end bound in iron banding at the pommel end. The other end of this is cut flat, and has a smaller cylindrical body as the middle hand grip section. Above this point, the handle connects with the blade tang. Which goes through the handle, the tang has been inserted through the centre of the handle, and then its rectangular end hammered over at the top to fix it in place. This is end is visible where it emerges through the handle top, and is off centre. The narrower part of the handle have been decorated with an iron binding strip. Both binding strips [top and bottom] have their ends hammered into slots in the wood to secure them. The blade is curved, with a broad flat ridge running along the length on both sides. This is not centred. On one side of the ridge, the blade extends to form a broad, sharpened base edge with a pointed corner; a more narrow blade extends from the other side of this, slightly higher up the knife. The sides then begin to taper in towards the point at the other end. Both edges were once sharpened. The object is complete, with some minor cut marks on the blade and handle.

Very similar to a Mengbetu collected by Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson in the Bahr el Ghazal region, probably between 1909 and 1914, in the period immediately before World War I. At the time this object was collected, the Bahr el Ghazal province was much larger than it is today, extending from roughly the Bahr el Arab all the way to the border with the Belgian Congo; this area is now divided into the districts of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and parts of Warab, El Buheyrat and Western Equatoria. The drawing in the gallery is a 19th century depiction of Munza, the king of the Mangbetu. Seated on his throne, he holds a similar knife to ours as a symbol of power and authority.  read more

Code: 19166

A Very Rare Collector’s Piece From One of the Most Significant National Hero State Events in the 19th Century. Original Part From The Duke of Wellington's Funeral Carriage

Attended by an estimated at the time, 1.5 million people, and this was when the population of the country was almost a quarter what it is today.
From one of the original foundrys [Taylors Works] that cast the wheels. This is an original spare wheel support made for the magnificent 18 ton funeral carriage. The Duke lay in state in Chelsea Hospital for two days, during which thousands of mourners including the Queen paid their respects. His funeral took place on 18 November when the funeral processed from Horse Guards to St Paul's, Wellington's remains borne in a huge funeral carriage weighing over 18 tons, and that is now on public display at Stratfield Saye. Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS (1 May 1769 ? 14 September 1852), was a British soldier and statesman, a native of Ireland from the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century. His importance in national history is such that he is often referred to as "the Duke of Wellington" instead of "the 1st Duke of Wellington" (overshadowing the heirs to his dukedom including the current duke ? see Dukes of Wellington).

Wellesley was commissioned as an ensign in the British Army in 1787. Serving in Ireland as aide-de-camp to two successive Lords Lieutenant of Ireland he was also elected as a Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons. A colonel by 1796, Wellesley saw action in the Netherlands and in India, where he fought in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War at the Battle of Seringapatam. He was appointed governor of Seringapatam and Mysore in 1799 and as a newly appointed major-general won a decisive victory over the Maratha Confederacy at the Battle of Assaye in 1803.

Wellesley rose to prominence as a general during the Peninsular campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, and was promoted to the rank of field marshal after leading the allied forces to victory against the French at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813. Following Napoleon's exile in 1814, he served as the ambassador to France and was granted a dukedom. During the Hundred Days in 1815, he commanded the allied army which, together with a Prussian army under Bl?cher, defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Wellesley's battle record is exemplary, ultimately participating in some 60 battles during the course of his military career.

Wellesley is famous for his adaptive defensive style of warfare, resulting in several victories against a numerically superior force while minimising his own losses. He is regarded as one of the greatest defensive commanders of all time, and many of his tactics and battle plans are still studied in military academies around the world

The Duke of Wellington is one of only a handful of non-royals to have been accorded a state funeral. This carriage or ?car? was made for the occasion.Included in it's construction were over ten tons of bronze cannon captured at Waterloo and six foundries employed over a hundred men for eighteen days to make it.

The resulting creation measured twenty seven feet in length, ten feet wide and seventeen feet high. A canopy of silk and silver hung from four halberds above the main structure. It required twelve horses to pull it.

The car proved to be the most controversial feature of Wellington?s funeral on 18 November 1852. Prince Albert, who oversaw the project, decreed that it should be ?a symbol of English military strength and statesmanship.? His wife loved it. Lord Hardinge, the Duke?s successor as commander-in-chief, reckoned it ?a beautiful specimen of art.?

It did not help that one of the carriage?s six wheels got stuck in The Mall during the elaborate funeral procession. About sixty policemen were needed to free it. Worse, when it reached St Paul?s Cathedral, its mechanism failed. It took over an hour for the Duke?s coffin to be conveyed inside. The car then found a home in the crypt of St Paul?s until it was transferred to Stratfield Saye in 1981.

Despite such shortcomings, Wellington?s funeral was one of the great British state occasions of the nineteenth century. An estimated million and a half people converged on the procession route. The general feeling was that the passing of the hero of Waterloo marked the close of an era. Tennyson went even further, declaring that ?the last great Englishman is low.? Certainly there was nothing to compare to it until Sir Winston Churchill?s funeral in 1965. The spoke weighs around 6.5 kilos. Of heavy metal construction  read more

Code: 22855

An 18th Century Highly Decorated North West Frontier Jazail, With The Iconic Recurved Butt Stock & Elaborate Inlaid Decor

With a long Damascus twist barrel and a captured British EIC flintlock. Formerly this type of elaborately decorated long gun were the weapons of regional tribal warlords in the 18th and early 19th century. A very fine, attractive and incredibly significant historical example of a North West Frontier Afghan War long gun known as a Jazail. With a highly distinctive recurved butt. Likely Damascus steel twist barrel. The ordnance inspected lock was captured from an East India Co. musket. It has the EIC mark of the lion, plus probably traces of an ordnance inspector stamp number. The gunlock and it's maker is a most interesting historical aspect of this intriguing gun, it appears by the remaining surface it may have been made by Hirst of London. Hirst had his business based in Little Tower Hill, London, and he was a contractor to the Ordnance and the East India Co. His specialism was rare breech loading rifles, with screw mounted breeches, and wall mounted pivot guns with large flintlock mechanisms, just as this one is. Jazails very often had captured British made locks, as their domestically made locks were often very basic matchlock types. The Jazail was used by the notorious North West Frontier tribesmen, in the 18th century, during the era of what was called The Great Game. The period when the British control of India was expanding, yet under considerable and constant threat by Russia, and it's attempted conspiracies in order to influence discord among the Indian populace for their own advantages, ‘plus ?ca change, plus c'est la meme chose’ . Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim was based around this very geo political situation, and a most informative, accurate, and yet ripping tale that it is too. It would have also been used in the Ist Afghan War in the 1830's, in many ways the first major conflict of what became known as " The Great Game". The reasons for the British invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in the late 1830s are many and varied. They mainly revolve around what one of the 'victims' of the event referred to as 'the Great Game'. This was the name given by Arthur Conolly to denote the shadow boxing between Russia and Britain for influence in Central Asia for much of the 19th Century. Relations between Russia and Britain were strained in the 1830s as the British feared the expansionist and strong armed tactics of Tsar Nicholas I who came to the throne in 1825. He sought a policy that expanded Russian influence southwards and eastwards. This was bringing Russian influence towards Britain's own 'Jewel in the Crown' India. India was still ruled by the East India Company, although the British government had constrained much of the company's freedom to act by this time and was ultimately guiding its policy on the wider international scene. The British were particularly concerned at Russian influence in Persia. They had heard reports that the Russians were helping the Shah of Persia beseige Herat on the western side of Afghanistan. If successful in taking this city, Russian influence would advance along the route that they would take if they were to invade India at any point in the future. But British alarm bells really began to ring when a rumour circulated that a Russian had arrived at the court of Dost Mohammed in Kabul. If this was true, then it was believed that Russian influence might extend to the borders of India itself. Steeped in classical education, most British decision makers knew the invasion route of India taken by Alexander the Great and assumed that the Russians would soon have the capability to make a similar incursion. As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables Rudyard Kipling's poem of the Afghan War refers to the feared deadly accuracy of the Jazail, and it goes; "A scrimmage in a Border Station
A canter down some dark defile
Two thousand pounds of education
Drops to a ten-rupee jezail". Frizzen lacking on the lock, action weak. As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 22931

Original & Rare Anglo-Saxon Spear from The Era of King Offa to King Harold, & What is Very Rare, With It’s Original Scabbard It May Be The Very First Original Scabbard Still present We Have Ever Seen in 50 Years.

Viking and Anglo Saxon history is now at the forefront of interest today, especially with so many representations and depictions of the the great Viking age and often their British enemies the Anglo Saxon peoples being created into films and documentaries currently.

The interest in original Viking artefacts, and weapons of their natural foes, has never been greater than it is today. In our Brighton gallery almost all of our daily thousands of visitors make a beeline to all our amazing original Viking pieces, the interest is literally unceasing. Many are spellbound by their historical significance and almost all are surprised to be able to view up close, let alone acquire, such amazing pieces. And this fine example is one of the least expensive pieces of its type we can offer currently, and probably one of the very rarest, bearing in mind original Viking and Anglo Saxon arms and armour we can show and have had recently, can easily approach up to around £40,000 each.

Used by Anglo Saxon warriors from the 6th century to the 11th century Norman Conquest of 1066. This ancient spear, remarkably, also has part of its original iron scabbard, with traces of line engraving at the throat, and it is the very first spear scabbard we have ever seen to survive. it would have had a small leather top attachment. The spear has matching line engraving at the socket opening. The main weapon the Anglo-Saxons used during war were their spears. They were usually leaf or kite shaped and had a socket for the attachment of the staff. The usual length of the spear was 6’6”- 8’ (2.00m-2.50m). Spears were used for both hand to hand combat and as Javelins. Anglo-Saxons burials that contained weapons 86% of the time had spears in them. There were also 21 different types of spears the Anglo-Saxons used during war. The group of tribes known by the three names Saxons, Angles, and Jutes all belonged to the Teutonic stock; the Jutes perhaps being nearer akin to the Gothic and Scandinavian branch than to the German. It is doubtful whether there was any real distinction between Angles and Saxons other than the designation of the territory from which they started. The king's power
One of these customs was fighting everyone in sight. A king's power was not hereditary; it depended solely on his ability to win battles and so gain land, treasure, and slaves to give his supporters. He was obliged to fight and keep fighting. If not, he would find himself out of a job or deprived of his life, or both. Succession from father to son was never a foregone conclusion. Any relative of the old king who could muster enough support could make a bid for the throne. This helps to explain why the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms came and went so quickly. The power of any kingdom over its neighbours was only as solid as the strength of its king in battle.

King Offa
Roughly speaking, the 7th century was the age of Northumbrian ascendance, with Mercia playing second fiddle. In the 8th century these roles reversed. The most powerful and well known of the Mercian kings was Offa, who ruled from 758-796. A successful warrior (which is a given for anyone in those days who managed to hold onto power for so long), he defeated kings in Sussex, Anglia, and Wessex, proclaiming himself King of the English. In the 11th century, there were three conquests and some Anglo-Saxon people would live through it: one in the aftermath of the conquest of Cnut in 1016; the second after the unsuccessful attempt of battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066; the third after that of William of Normandy in 1066. The consequences of each conquest can only be assessed with hindsight. In 1016, no-one was to know that whatever cultural ramifications were felt then, they would be subsumed half a century later; and in 1066 there was nothing to predict that the effects of William's conquest would be any greater or more lasting than those of Cnut's. See Swanton, M.J. Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973 for discussion. 221 grams,13 inches long overall Almost every iron weapon that has survived today from this era is now in a fully russetted condition, as is this one, because only the swords of kings, that have been preserved in national or Royal collections are today still in a good state and condition.

As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity  read more

Code: 22102

A Beautiful Antique Indian Sword Shamshir Shikargar, With An impressive and Scarce 'Nagan' Serpentine Blade

Beautifully artisan hand cleaned and polished, and what has been achieved is once more remarkable. It looks like it did when acquired in the 19th century to come back to England. It has a pistol shaped khanjar style hilt, matching engraved to the blade. A shikargaha hunting sword with exotic flowers engraved and two dancing figures, as used in a typical Moghul hunt, deeply engraved on both sides of the blade, with silver darts inlaid between the back edge engraving. Also with a brass inlaid panel with a dancing figure. Its condition for its age is now very good indeed, and the snake blade form is most beguiling and rarely seen in swords. Likely 19th century but possibly 18th. In the Renaissance period and beyond in Europe serpentine blades were occasionally seen, and they were named a 'flamberge' or flamboyant form blade. Some similar types of the Islamic serpentine bladed swords are in the Imperial collection in the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
See "Islamic swords and swordsmiths" by Unsal Yucel. A most unusual sword in many ways, not least that it was never actually made nor worn with a scabbard. It was worn through a belt and carried without one, to be used in ceremonies or on the hunting parties. There were five Indian/Nepal swords in the collection and four have the matching ensuite decoration patterning, but all need many many hours of cleaning and conservation so they will be added individually over time and sold seperately.  read more

Code: 22396

A Beautiful Sword of the Mandinka, West African, with Elaborate Decorative Fittings 20th. Century

Curved on both sides, fluted back blade with baluster contrast stitching and leather-covered handle. Geometrically patterned leather scabbard with traditional banding patterns, stitched raffia decorations and braided suspension cords and leather fringe tassels.

In some areas they are referred to locally as termed a 'kota' and that the scabbard was termed 'holga' ( house 'for the sword')

The Mandinka are the descendants of the Mali Empire, which rose to power in the 13th century under the rule of king Sundiata Keita, who founded an empire that would go on to span a large part of West Africa. They migrated west from the Niger River in search of better agricultural lands and more opportunities for conquest. Nowadays, the Mandinka inhabit the West Sudanian savanna region extending from The Gambia and the Casamance region in Senegal to Ivory Coast. Although widespread, the Mandinka constitute the largest ethnic group only in the countries of Mali, Guinea and The Gambia. Most Mandinka live in family-related compounds in traditional rural villages. Their traditional society has featured socially stratified castes.Mandinka communities have been fairly autonomous and self-ruled, being led by a chief and group of elders. Mandinka has been an oral society, where mythologies, history and knowledge are verbally transmitted from one generation to the next. Their music and literary traditions are preserved by a caste of griots, known locally as jelis, as well as guilds and brotherhoods like the donso (hunters).

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, many Muslim and non-Muslim Mandinka people, along with numerous other African ethnic groups, were captured, enslaved and shipped to the Americas. They intermixed with slaves and workers of other ethnicities, creating a Creole culture. The Mandinka people significantly influenced the African heritage of descended peoples now found in Brazil, the Southern United States and, to a lesser extent, the Caribbean  read more

Code: 24613

A Good And Most Interesting Tuareg Nomadic Berber Sword From The Western African Regions To North Africa

These are highly interesting swords of the nomadic Berber, and are known for their most attractive decorative features.
All patterned tooled leather hilt mounts, scabbard and fittings. Long principle sword with three smaller companion daggers fitted into recessed sheaths on the scabbard. Blades decoratively engraved throughout. It is a style of sword traditionally associated with the Tuareg, a nomadic people predominantly of Berber origin. The Tuareg long dominated the central and west-central areas of the Sahara desert, including portions of what is now Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, and Morocco, and had a reputation as effective warriors and as highwaymen. Broad blade. The sword has a straight crossguard with flattened grip and the whole form is based around the Crusader's swords that were captured in the region in the 12th to 14th centuries. This sword is late 19th century or later in good overall condition.

Not only an iconic sword of the Berber warrior nomads but a highly attractive decorative piece for display.

Overall 37 inches long in scabbard  read more

Code: 22536

A Most Charming Napoleonic Wars King George IIIrd Royal Scot's Greys Officer's Carved Horn, Campaign Drinking Cup

In carved horn used from the 1790's by a British Napoleonic Wars officer in the Royal Scot's Greys, then by his grandson in the Crimean war. A super Napoleonic Wars collectable.

Campaign furniture is an umbrella term for the portable items of furniture used by the military in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is comprised of a huge number of objects, from leatherwork, knives and forks, flasks, drinking vessels, chairs to chests, wardrobes to washstands and games tables to camp beds. from chairs to chests, wardrobes to washstands and games tables to camp beds. A number of celebrated British furniture makers created pieces of campaign furniture, elevating it beyond its roots in functional, army-based design to desirable, collectable decor that continues to add a beautiful, innovative touch to homes today.  read more

Code: 14799

A Most Scarce and Beautiful African Congo Tribal Warrior's Shield, of the Mongo Tribe.

Long ovoid form shield with stunning geometric pattern decoration. Carved wood with rattan bound edging.

The Mongo are one of the Bantu groups of Central Africa, forming the second largest ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are a diverse collection of peoples living in the equatorial forest, south of the main Congo River bend and north of the Kasai and Sankuru Rivers. This area is in the south of the province of Equateur and the north of Bandundu Province.

The Mongo speak either the Mongo language (also called Nkundo) or one of the related languages in the Bantu Mongo family. The Lingala language, however, often replaces Mongo in urban centers. Along with the Luba and the Kongo, they are the three largest ethnic groups in the country.

The Mongo ethnic group is divided into several tribes including Bolia, Bokote, Bongandu, Iyaelima, Konda, Mbole, Nkutu, Ntomba, Sengele, Songomeno, Dengese and Tetela-Kusu, Bakutu, Boyela.

Antique & Vintage original African tribal art is now some of the most desirable and sophisticated decor for national and international interior decorators.

Fine tribal artefacts have always been highly popular and in regards to interior decor, the height of sophistication, but recently it has become absolutely 'the' collectable art of the moment. As to be seen from far afield interiors such as in the 8th Arrondissement, in Paris particularly Avenue Montaigne, to Park Avenue New York, to Kensington Palace Gardens in London or the Piazza di Spagna, Via Condotti and Via del Babuino in Rome. All of the above we have had clients for such African tribal art and weaponry, as a statement focal point for their interior decor.

Super colour contrasts and design incorporating red ochre, cobalt blue, black and white. Red ochre is one of the very earliest pigments used by man, dating back to prehistoric times where it’s use is the basis of many Stone Age cave paintings

Overall in very good condition for age.

16 inches x 35 inches  read more

Code: 18653

A Magnificent & Fabulous Quality Antique French Rococo Silver Table Lamp

A wonderful example of the finest antique silver plate. Superlative quality of the highest grade, and of the most incredible beauty, from the Rococo Revival period that emerged from the King Louis Phillipe and Second Empire eras in France, and was then adapted in England. Revival of the rococo style was seen all throughout Europe during the 19th century within a variety of artistic modes and expression including decorative objects of art, paintings, art prints, furniture, and interior design. In much of Europe and particularly in France, the original rococo was regarded as a national style, and to many, its re-emergence recalled national tradition. Rococo revival epitomized grandeur and luxury in European style and was another expression of 19th century romanticism and the growing interest and fascination with natural landscape. Louis Philippe (1830-1848)

The rising bourgeoisie in France demanded rococo decorative-art objects as a reflection of status, wealth, and material possession. The bourgeois consumer purchased objects and furnishings from a variety of revival styles, including rococo, for its significance in historicizing opulence and grandeur.

Modern French Rococo furniture and decorative arts were characterized by their opulence elegance and grace. Its ornamentation consisted of delicate foliage and intricate details.13.5 inches x 8 inches. Excluding light fitting. Very heavy quality.  read more

Code: 21266