Antique Arms & Militaria

A Fabulous, Historical, And Important Scottish Basket Hilted Broadsword of a Distinguished Hero of the 79th Foot in the Crimean War & Subsequently Elevated, Due to His Gallantry, to a Position Within the Queen’s Bodyguard of H.M Queen Victoria

This was the regimental service combined combat and dress sword of William Cuninghame Cuninghame, Capt. Of the 79th Cameron Highlanders, {son of William Alexander Cuninghame late of the 95th Foot}

Capt. Cuninghame landed with his regiment in the Crimea, and he served with distinction in the Battles of Alma, Balaklava and Sebastepol. He was awarded the Crimean medal with three clasps, for his gallant service, and the Turkish medal.

After his distinguished service in the Crimean War he became a member of the Corps of Gentleman at Arms, Queen Victoria's personal bodyguard. This was a highly esteemed position to obtain, and only a very few, of the very best, most distinguished, and respected British army officers were ever chosen to serve in such an exalted position.

This is his basket hilted combined combat and dress broadsword, that was was commissioned from Wilkinson sword. It was completed by Wilkinsons on the 15th May, and delivered {or colllected} later in May, 1854, serial numbered 5174.
The basket is complete with it's traditional red cloth covered stag hide liner, lined with traditional red uniform cloth with its silk tassle. The broadsword blade is etched with Wilkinson's mark and the steel mounted leather scabbard originally bore full engraving of his name, his crest and the regiment number.

The Cuninghame name is one of Scotland’s oldest clan names, based on a regional name, and can trace their Scottish ancestry back to Cunninghame which is the northern part of Ayrshire.
Traditionally, in 1059, King Malcolm rewarded Malcolm, son of Friskin with the Thanedom of Cunninghame. The name is therefore of territorial origin and it likely derives from cuinneag which means milk pail and the Saxon ham which means village. There is a story that states that Malcolm who was the son of Friskin, obtained the lands from Malcolm III of Scotland after he had sheltered him under hay in a barn The Cunninghams were certainly well settled in the parish of Kilmaurs by the end of the thirteenth century. The son of the Laird of Kilmaurs was Hervy de Cunningham who fought for Alexander III of Scotland at the Battle of Largs in 1263 against the Norse invaders. During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Cunninghams were supporters of the Bruces in their fight for Scottish independence. A detail of the 79th Cameron Highlanders at Alma goes as follows; About half-past one o?clock 20th Sept 1854 the action commenced by the Russians opening fire from the redoubt on the left upon the French, who were attempting to assail their position in that direction. The British forces then formed in line, and proceeded to cross the river about the village of Burliuk. The light and second divisions led the way preceded by the skirmishers of the Rifle Brigade, who advanced through the vineyards beyond the village, and spreading themselves along the margin of the river, engaged the Russian riflemen on the opposite bank.

The first division, which formed the left of the allied army, advancing in support, traversed the vineyard and crossed the river, protected by its overhanging banks. On reaching the slope of the hill, the three Highland regiments formed line in Echelon, and, "with the precision of a field-day advanced to the attack, the 42nd Royal Highlanders on the right, and the 79th Cameron Highlanders on the left, the extreme left of the allied army." "The magnificent mile of line," says Captain Jameson, "displayed by the Guards and Highlanders, the prominent bear-skin, the undulating waves of the clan-tartans, the stalwart frames, steady and confident bearing of these young and eager soldiers advancing under fire, can never be forgotten by those who witnessed it, whilst it contributed materially to the discouragement of the enemy, whose columns perceptibly wavered as they approached. His masses of four - and - twenty deep, absolutely reeled and staggered to and fro under the murderous fire of the Scottish line, which was delivered with great effect at a distance of 200 yards."
We show in the gallery a painting of the 79th Highlanders charging at Alma, a photo of Capt. W.C.Cuninghame's Crimean War & Queen's Bodyguard Diamond Jubilee medal that were sold some years ago, and a photo of Capt. Cuninghame as part of Queen Victoria's personal bodyguard at the Jubilee service at St Paul's Cathedral 1897 . The basket has a small bar lacking on one side due to hand to hand combat contact damage. As the scabbard is steel mounted, not brass as are his ancestors swords, the family name crest and regiment engraving on the scabbard has all but disappeared due to very light old surface pitting but traces of it can be identified in the right light. It would likely need modern infra red light technology to reveal it fully. 32.25 inch blade. Capt. Cuninghame's Medals and photos in the gallery not included.

We acquired three swords direct from the descendant Cuninghame family, one has now been sold and they are all to be sold separately.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 20427

A Beautiful, Inscribed, And Most Rare Original Elizabethan Tudor & Renaissance Nobleman’s Rapier 16th Century, Circa 1570

From a famed collection of early antique weapons, antiquities and fine art created in the 1960's by a highly regarded retired barrister. A stunning Renaissance rapier with tapered blade of flattened hexagonal section, fullers on both sides of the forte inscribed with Fio Nio, abbreviated Latin opposite armourer’s marks of crescents plus circle with cross on the blade, nicely defined long ricasso; with an elaborate, swept hilt with thumb ring, and three, hand guard bars, the quillon finials with shaped knobs very nicely embossed. It has a restored leather grip surface and a beautifully pronounced ovoid egg form pommel.

Often used in duels in conjunction with a maine gauche off-hand parrying dagger.

Exactly the same form of sword rapiers as worn by all of the great admirals and knights in Queen Elizabeth the 1st's court. See the three original portraits of such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, & Earl Dudley.

Sir Francis Drake while commanding the English fleet against the Spanish Armada, plus all his senior captains and command officers, carried and used the very same form of rapier, despite its length being somewhat impractical to hand to hand combat aboard ship. It wasn’t for some time that logic prevailed and swords for use aboard ships became much shorter, such as hunting swords, and thus far more practical when hampered by low slung rigging aboard the main deck of all ships.

It was also the very form of sword carried by the senior Spanish Conquistadors on their conquest of the South Americas in the 16th century.

From the early 16th century onward, the practice of wearing a sword or rapier with civilian dress, made duels between unarmoured opponents more common. Lacking the armour, shield or hand protections worn in battle, the fighters had to block or parry an attack by other means. Methods of defence included the use of a dagger or a buckler held in the left hand. Fundamental characteristics of the spada da lato, compared to the normal one-handed sword and the sword, are the long and pointed but still massive blade, sharpened on both sides, with a short ricasso protected above by a metal ring; and the hilt with one or two-handed sleeves, normally in relation to the length of the blade and therefore to the total weight of the weapon, cross-shaped guard with large, straight or folded arms, loaded with branches, bridges and rings, articulating on the ricasso, to ensure greater protection of the hand.

For further reference as to type;
C. Foulkes, Inventory and Survey of the Armouries of the Tower of London, published 1916; and A.R. Dufty, European Swords and Daggers in the Tower of London, published 1974, see letter D on plate 21
From the early 16th century onward, the practice of wearing a sword or rapier with civilian dress, made duels between unarmoured opponents more common. Lacking the armour, shield or hand protections worn in battle, the fighters had to block or parry an attack by other means. Methods of defence included the use of a dagger or a buckler held in the left hand. Fundamental characteristics of the spada da lato, compared to the normal one-handed sword and the sword, are the long and pointed but still massive blade, sharpened on both sides, with a short ricasso protected above by a metal ring; and the hilt with one or two-handed sleeves, normally in relation to the length of the blade and therefore to the total weight of the weapon, cross-shaped guard with large, straight or folded arms, loaded with branches, bridges and rings, articulating on the ricasso, to ensure greater protection of the hand. The maker's mark shows comparisons with a rapier in the Tower of London Armoury see Foulkes, no.107 p.274, 1916

41 1/3" overall length. Fine condition.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 24093

A Scarce Swiss 1842 Briquet Man's Sword of The Guard Regt's. Used in the Italian Uprising of 1848

A very rarely seen sword in the UK, The US and Europe, the Swiss briquet sidearm. It is based on the Franco-Prussian version, and similarly mostly made in Solingen Prussia, and imported to Switzerland in the early 19th century. Marked on the hilt J.P.Stacklj.

As used by the Swiss regiment that fought in the streets of Naples for Ferdinand II, King of the two Kingdoms of Sicily, during the uprising of 15 May 1848. Between 1856 and 1860, around 1,200 Swiss mercenaries from the Swiss regiments in Naples continued their military careers in the Dutch colonial army.

The Revolution which began in Palermo was one of a series of such events in Italy, though perhaps more violent than others. It quickly spread across the island and throughout Italy, where it prompted Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, to follow the example of Ferdinand II and issue a written constitution, the Albertine Statute {the Albertine Statute later became the constitution of the unified Kingdom of Italy and remained in force, with changes, until 1948}. In imitation of these events, riots and revolutions followed around Europe at the same time, and may be considered a taste of the socialist revolts to come.

King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies
By the recapture of Sicily in May 1849, the battle was said to be practically over. Filangieri, however, dared not let his troops enter the set of alleys that then made up the historic center of Messina: although the regular Sicilian forces had been exterminated or forced to flee, the bombardment of the Bourbons continued on the defenseless city, that is, on the part that had not yet been occupied by the regi, for another seven hours. The soldiers of the Bourbon army gave themselves up to the looting and violence against the inhabitants.

Homes of foreigners living in Messina were also looted and destroyed, so much so that the English consul Barker reported the incident to his government writing that many English subjects living there were reduced to ruin and that even a diplomat, the consul of Greece and Bavaria M. G.M. Rillian, despite being in uniform, had been wounded by sabre, before his dwelling was also looted and burned down. The Bourbon troops did not spare even the religious buildings from looting. For example, the church of San Domenico, rich in works of art, was first looted of its sacred objects, then burned down and totally destroyed. Loss of life was incalculable. A Bourbon official wrote to his brother, immediately after the capture of Messina, stating that the Neapolitan departments had recaptured the city with a very intense fire and "trampling corpses in every step that progressed for the space of about two miles" and then commenting "What a horror! What a fire! British Admiral Parker also condemned the work of the Bourbons, and in particular the prolonged terrorist bombardment of the city even after the end of all resistance for eight hours: "The greatest ferocity was shown by the Neapolitans, whose fury was incessant for eight hours, after all resistance had ceased".

During the siege of Messina, the last insurgents who resisted the attack of the Bourbons inside a convent, rather than hand themselves over, chose to throw themselves into a well, taking their tricolour flags with them. Messina was also troubled by the work of common criminals sent by King Ferdinand II to Sicily against the insurgents and that after tormenting the Sicilians for months with brigand actions (crimes, violence, thefts, etc.) they gave themselves at the time of the fall of the city to its looting, arriving with small boats from Calabria to make loot.

Overall in very nice condition, with old traces of pitting on the blade. A very rarely seen sword.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.


No scabbard  read more

Code: 15097

Original, Antique, Victorian Household Cavalry Armour Breastplate Cuirass of the LifeGuards, The Blues &The Royals. The Mounted Personal Bodyguard Regiments of the British Monarch, Part of The Household Division Crimean War Era

With With brass edge trim & rivets. It bears the ordnance inspection stamps. Used by all of H.M.Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry regiments, the monarch's mounted bodyguard. It bears the original Victorian ordnance inspection stamps. Used by all of H.M.Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry regiments.

Photographed against a background of an original 20th century Life Guards tunic in scarlet with gold trim.

During a visit to the Tower several decades ago, thanks to an invitation by our friend Howard Blackmore {historian and assistant curator at the Tower} we had a discussion, amongst many other subjects, of the conversion of the Life Guards and Horseguards back to armoured heavy cavalry, after around 150 years of un-armoured service as the monarch's mounted guard since the 17th century.

This is one of those early cuirass breast plates created for the newly armoured horse guards regiments.

From 1661 to 1778, the Life Guards Troops saw action in the Jacobite Wars, the Second Dutch War
(when they served as sailors) ant the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1778 the four Horse
Guard Troops and Horse Grenadiers re-formed as the 1st Life Guards. Both Regiments fought
with distinction in the Waterloo campaign.
For the Egyptian War of 1882, Life Guards formed a Composite Household Cavalry
Regiment with the Royal Horse Guards, making Royal Horse Guards, making the famous
moonlight charge at Kassain. In 1894, for the relief of Khartoum, both Regiments contributed
soldiers to the Heavy Camel Regiment and were again formed as a Composite Household
Cavalry Regiment for the 2nd Boer War in 1900

The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), initially known as The Tangier Horse, were raised by
King Charles II to form part of the garrison at Tangier, which had been acquired on his
marriage to Catherine of Braganza as part of her dowry. Known as The Royals, during the
18th century the Regiment saw service in most of the same wars as The Blues, including the
Peninsula campaign and Waterloo, where the Regiment famously captured the Eagle of the
French 105th Infantry Regiment. However, in the 19th century, unlike The Blues, The Royals
saw service in the Crimea and in India.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 25911

A Simply Superb & Most Impressive Antique, Original French, Mid to Late 19th Century, Elite Cuirassiers, Heavy Cavalry Combat Sword

Typical Cuirassier double fullered 95 cm straight double fullered blade, arsenal engraved along the spine, Manf D'armes Du Chatl: Avril 1874 Cavalrie De Reserve Cuirassiers Mdl. 1854. Brass guard, somewhat of the Sabre de Cavalerie modele M1822 type, with replaced leather bound grip. Blade inspector stamped by Lt Col. Paul Charles Maldon & Francis Louis Sprenger

Much of the French heavy cavalry wore armoured cuirass and were armed with their straight swords, pistols and carbines. Though the armour could not protect against contemporary flintlock musket fire, it could deflect shots fired from long-range, stop ricochets and offer protection from all but very close range pistol fire. More importantly, in an age which saw cavalry used in large numbers, the breastplates (along with the helmets) provided excellent protection against the swords and lances of opposing cavalry and against infantry bayonets. It also had some psychological effect for the wearer (effectively making the cuirassier more willing to plunge into the thick of fighting) and the enemy (adding intimidation), while it also added weight to a charge, especially in cavalry versus cavalry actions.
Napoleonic French cuirasses were originally intended to be proof against three musket shots at close range; however, this was never achieved in practice. The regulations eventually recognised this, and cuirasses were subsequently only expected to be proof against one shot at long range. Dragoon regiments were not armoured.

The French cuirassiers numbered 11 regiments at the outbreak of war but had not seen active service since the Battle of Waterloo. A brigade comprising the 6th and 9th Regiments had served in the Crimean War but had not actually encountered the enemy. Accordingly, the prospect of action against the Prussian Army, in the Franco Prussian War which included 10 cuirassier regiments of its own, was seen as an opportunity for a strongly traditional branch of the French cavalry to prove its continuing relevance. In the event, in a series of massed charges against Prussian infantry and artillery at Froeschwiller and Rezonville, the French cuirassiers suffered very heavy losses for little return. To cover the French retreat General Michel's brigade of cavalry was ordered to charge. The order was somewhat vague, and in his position under cover near Eberbach, General Michel's had no knowledge of the actual situation. Thus it came about that, without reconnoitering or manoeuvering for position, the French cavalry rode straight at the first objective which offered itself, and struck the victorious Prussians as they were crossing the hills between the Albrechtsh userhof and Morsbronn. Hence the charge was costly and only partly successful. However, the Prussians were ridden down here and there, and their attention was sufficiently absorbed while the French infantry rallied for a fresh counterstroke. This was made about 13:20 h with the utmost gallantry. The Prussians were driven off the hillsides between the Albrechtsh userhof and Morsbronn which they had already won. But the counter-attack turned into disaster when 700 French cuirassiers were trapped inside Morsbronn and massacred within a few minutes by rapid close-range fire. The rest of the French cavalry eventually came under fire from the great artillery mass above Gunstett; von Bose having at length concentrated the main body of the XI corps in the meadows between the Niederwald and the Sauer, the French had to withdraw.

The story of the Cuirassiers at Reichshoffen displayes well the courage of the French cavalrymen. The French infantry withdrawal involved the retreat of the troops who had fought all day in defence of the Niederwald.
In desperation, MacMahon ordered General Michel's Cuirassier brigade (8th and 9th Cuirassiers) to attack the Prussians and buy his infantry the time they needed to fall back. Morsbronn and the flank of the Prussian XI Corps was to be the target of the charge.
Obediently Michel led his cuirassiers out of Eberbach where they had been held in reserve all morning. Sunlight glinted off polished cuirasses and helmets and harness jangled as the magnificent cavalry trotted off towards the south. As they emerged from the narrow Eberbach valley, Michel quickly lined up his squadrons and sounded the charge. Their swords drawn and horsetail crests streaming behind them, the cuirassiers thundered towards the Prussians. Suddenly the charging troopers were met not by a hail of bullets, but by hedged fields, fences, and trellised vineyards. The formation began to come apart. The various captains rallied their squadrons and continued the advance, but momentum had been lost. Now Prussian infantry opened on the French cavalry at point-blank range, and Krupps guns tore huge gaps in the charging ranks as horses and riders plunged and went down in writhing masses. A few squadrons actually reached Morsbronn where the Prussians blasted them from second story windows and trapped them in barricaded streets. Nine squadrons were shot to pieces.
No scabbard  read more

Code: 20222

An Incredibly Impressive, French IInd Empire, Napoleonic Sword Of the Elite Carabiniers-à-Cheval 1854. Serving Napoleon IIIrd in the Second Empire From The Crimean War and In The Franco Prussian War As Part of Napoleon's Imperial Guard

Carabiniers-à-Cheval were cavalry equipped with armour and firearms, and were also commonly called heavy cavalry, very similar to Curassier units. They were quite common from the 15th century, up until the late 19th century, and were heavily armoured, and had swords to match, their equipment mostly duplicating that of the Curassiers.
The most famous sword of the 1st Empire was the Heavy Cavalry Curassier Sword, used by Emperor Napoleon's elite Heavy Cavalry throughout the period following the French Revolution, until the destruction of the French at The Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The early models had a plain pommel mount and the three bar brass guard each ended in a "ball". After Emperor Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815, a new design was decided on known as the Model of 1822 which did away with the ball tipped cross guard bars and added a circular "crown" to the pommel.

This is a really interesting example of the sword for Carabinier units from the 2nd Empire under Napoleon III, who was eventually defeated by the Prussians in 1870/71. The Model 1854 is 45 inches in overall length, with a straight double-fullered blade, terminating in a point. The sword slightly lighter in construction than its predecessor, but retains the Model M-1822 "Crowned" pommel. The basket hilt has seen some mounted hand-to-hand combat impacts


The Model 1854 Sword for Cababiniers. It comes with all brass mounts, brass wired covered in leather grip and is complete with its original heavy steel scabbard. This sword was made at the time of the Crimean War, and was used in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

In very nice matured condition, ready to display.

The Carabiniers-à-Cheval (French for "Horse Carabiniers") were mounted troops in the service of France.

Their origins date back to the mid-16th century, when they were created as elite elements of the French light cavalry, armed with carbines but then gradually evolved towards semi-independent status during the 18th century. They only became independent units as late as 1788, when a two-regiment heavy cavalry corps was created. From the French Revolutionary Wars onwards, they were the senior heavy cavalry regiments in the French army, rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars.

2nd Empire Carabiniers:

Carabiniers were again raised in the form of two regiments by 1824, with their distinctive style of helmet being temporarily adopted by the cuirassiers also. The Carabiniers were present in Paris in June 1848 for the creation of the Republic when nine regiments were brought in to maintain peace, the first time in 200 years that carabiniers were again serving as military police. From 1852 the Carabiniers were a part of the Army of the Second French Empire. They saw service again in 1870 as a single regiment, but now as part of the Imperial Guard. Following the Franco-Prussian War the Carabiniers were amalgamated with the 11th Cuirassier regiment on 4 February 1871.

The 1-11e Régiment de Cuirassiers of the modern French Army can accordingly trace its origin, in part, to the 19th Century Carabiniers. By coincidence the present day regiment is stationed in Carpiagne within Provence, once the domain of their former commander.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury, Britain's famous, favourite, and oldest original Armoury Antique store, is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, and thus, it is a lifetime guarantee.  read more

Code: 25910

A Superb Piece of Unique History. Admiral Lord Nelson's Hair Woven Into a Piece of Memorium Jewellery, A 'Momento Mori' Lyre Brooch of Extraordinary Quality. For Encouraging Those That Possess Them To Live More Fully In The Present.

Acquired from an Admiral Lord Nelson family of collectors, together with a small miniature portrait of the Admiral, the miniature of the full sized one painted by Lemuel Francis Abbott in 1797 for Lady Nelson.

Said to be, by the descendants of the Hamilton family from whence they came to us, made from a small lock of hair {given to them by Lady Hamilton, over 200 years ago, by Nelson's mistress}, that, some years after his tragic death, was intricately woven into a rigid weblike structure, and formed around very finely crafted gilt metal, into a mourning brooch of lyre form, to wear as a wedding gift, and it has been in the family ever since. The hair colour has subsequently darkened somewhat, from its original lighter colour, due to being lacquered to aid rigidity, handled and worn, possibly for decades. It originally had a small ivory slip engraved with its distinguished origin, and that it was given by Lady Hamilton to her relatives by marriage. Lady Hamilton, Nelson's infamous mistress, was married to Sir William Hamilton, who was the 4th son of Lord Archibald Hamilton, who was the 7th son of the 3rd Duke of Hamilton. We have been acquiring fascinating artefacts and antiquities from descendants of the 10th Duke of Hamilton these past 30 years or more.

That ivory slip was with it until just a very few years ago, when it was discarded by the dear ladies that last recently owned it, and from whence it came, to us. It was purposely removed due to HRH Prince William disapproving of ivory artefacts. This we consider a great shame, as it was very old, an antique of around 210 years vintage, and simply nothing was gained by its sad removal and loss.

Of course there is absolutely no possibility for us to definitively state it was indeed Nelson's hair, as a provable fact, as any DNA test would likely damage its integrity, but its most highly likely potential, due to its origin, is most intriguing. However, we have acquired pieces from the family for 30 years or so, and heve never had a single reason to doubt any provenence past on to us previously, so, in our opinion it is absolutely correct to have been made from Nelson's hair as a momento mori.

The miniature that came with it {and is not for sale} bears a hand written label glued at its back, still present, to note it was it's full sized original was in the National Portrait Gallery that {opened in 1856}. The original is by Lemuel Francis Abbott
an oil on canvas, was painted in 1797
This is one of the many portraits Abbott painted of Nelson and it is perhaps the most widely recognised of the whole Nelson iconography. It depicts him in rear-admiral's uniform wearing the Star and Ribbon of the Bath and the Naval Gold Medal, awarded for his victory at the Battle of St Vincent (1797). The original portrait was painted for Captain Locker of the Greenwich Hospital. This full sized version, commissioned for Lady Nelson, was also taken from life. Although Nelson only sat to him twice, Abbott subsequently copied the picture over forty times. The copies gradually declined in quality as the artist became mentally ill but this was no bar to their popularity. Many were purchased by Nelson's naval colleagues, his family and friends.
In July 1798, Nelson's wife wrote to him: 'My dearest Husband - I am now writing opposite to your portrait, the likeness is great. I am well-satisfied with Abbott… it is my companion, my sincere friend in your absence…

Nelson's pigtail (or queue), was cut off after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar 21 October 1805. It is sandy-coloured hair, bound with black ribbon, which is tied in a bow. Surgeon William Beatty records in his "Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson" that Nelson asked that Lady Hamilton should have his hair. The pigtail was cut off after his death and Hardy delivered it to Emma Hamilton after the Victory's arrival in England. Small locks of hair were given to relations and close friends, and some pieces were mounted in special mourning rings and momento mori lockets. What remains of Nelson’s queue is now part of the National Maritime Museum Collection.

Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means "remember you must die". It refers to the concept of a memento mori object or artistic genre that reminds people of their mortality and the impermanence of life, encouraging them to live more fully in the present. Common symbols used to represent this concept include skulls, hourglasses, extinguished candles, and decaying flowers or fruit.

Classical Antiquity: The idea of remembering death's inevitability has roots in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, with figures like Socrates discussing philosophy as a preparation for death.
Christianity and the Medieval Period: Memento mori became a significant concept in Christian art and funerary practices, serving as a reminder to prepare for the afterlife.
Artists use memento mori symbols to convey the theme of mortality and the transient nature of earthly pleasures. Some common symbols include:
Skulls and Skeletons: Direct representations of death.
Hourglasses and Clocks: Symbols of passing time.
Flowers and Fruit: Representing beauty and life that quickly decay and fade.
Candles: An extinguished or guttering candle signifies the fading of life.

The practice of memento mori is not just about confronting death but about appreciating life. The realization of one's mortality can inspire greater gratitude for the present moment and encourage a more focused, meaningful life. It helps people to prioritize what truly matters and not take loved ones or experiences for granted.  read more

Code: 25210

A Simply Stunning And Historical Persian Kulah Khud Helmet, Qajar Era, Surmounted with an Ancestor's War Trophy, A 12th Cent. Crusaders Arrow, To Represent the Traditional Kulah Khud Helmet Spike

A fabulously beautiful 18th to 19th century helmet, crowned at the peak with an surmounted battle souvenir of an original Crusader's arrow head from the victory of Saladin's army at the Battle Hattin in the 12th century.

The helmet of hemispherical form, the brim hammer welded to the bowl, fitted at its apex, with a moulded base, with the arrow head, and at the front a sliding nasal bar secured by a thumb-screw and with a plume-holder on each side, decorated throughout with a framework of gold cartouches filled with mounted warriors and calligraphy, the brim encircled by a calligraphic panel of text from the Koran, framed by gold lines, and lamellar mail neck defence of butted links, with a small resin repair. The apex of the helmet bears a 12th century Crusader's iron arrow head, said by legend to have come from the booty of the Battle of Hattin, Saladin's great victory against the Crusaders. The Battle of Hattin took place on 4 July 1187, between the Crusader states of the Levant and the forces of the Ayyubid sultan Salah ad-Din, known in the West as Saladin. It is also known as the Battle of the Horns of Hattin, from a nearby extinct volcano.

The Muslim armies under Saladin captured or killed the vast majority of the Crusader forces, removing their capability to wage war. As a direct result of the battle, Muslims once again became the eminent military power in the Holy Land, re-conquering Jerusalem and most of the other Crusader-held cities. These Christian defeats prompted the Third Crusade, which began two years after the Battle of Hattin. The Crusader army was composed of knights from the: Kingdom of Jerusalem
Knights Templar
Knights Hospitaller
Order of Saint Lazarus
Order of Mountjoy.

The fitting of ancient relics within the warriors armour, from the greatest battles of Saladin, is a profound statement of connection the the historic past, we have seen once before on another very fine kulah khud helmet that we had about 15 years ago. Antique Arabian jambiya of the highest quality often have ancient Europen coins inset within their hilts for a similar purpose. The field restored chainmail has been repaired aroundthe equivalent area of medium sized coin, this could likely be fairly easily tidied much better.  read more

Code: 21500

An Extraordinary Document, & Piece of Original & Highly Relevant History Today. A 'Particulars of Claim For Compensation' For The Freedom of 253 Slaves In Barbados For the President Of Barbados, John Rycroft Best & 556 Slaves Owned By John Higginson

An original stamped and dated claim form. For John Rycroft Best’s 253 slaves in St Andrew, plus,, the numerous claims of John Higginson of Barbados

John Rycroft Best was a 'plantocrat' and militia commander who played an important part in the suppression of the Barbados rebellion of 1816, though he was to withdraw from the Barbados Assembly committee which reported on the uprising.

John Rycroft Best
recorded in official record as
‘of Blackmans, in the Parish of St Joseph, Barbadoes sic, President of this Island.’

He played an important role in Barbados Council politics including, for example, rallying opposition to the impending threat of abolition. At a meeting of representatives of Barbados, Antigua, Demerara and Essequibo, Dominica, Grenada, Nevis, St Christopher, St Vincent, Tobago and the Virgin islands, chaired by Best, there were strong protests against the British Government’s treatment of the West Indies, the threat of abolition (unless there was adequate recompense) and praise for how the planters had improved the conditions of the slaves.

John Rycroft Best was last recorded as perishing aged around 73 in a fire and subsequent explosion aboard RMS Amazon. Quite a lot of detail is known of this event, and we detail it as follows;

RMS Amazon was a wooden three-masted barque, paddle steamer and Royal Mail Ship of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. She was one of a set of five sister ships built at the beginning of the 1850s for RMSP's routes between Southampton and the Caribbean.

On Friday, 2 January 1852, Amazon, commanded by Captain William Symons, loaded mail, embarked 50 passengers and late that day she sailed for the Caribbean. In the next 24 hours she twice hove to as her engine bearings overheated. She entered the Bay of Biscay and about 12:40 on Sunday, 4 January, smoke was sighted rising from a hatch ahead of her forward funnel. Captain Symons and his chief officer, Roberts, were quickly on deck and organised crewmen with buckets and a hose to fight the fire. Men started to move hay away from the fire, but after they had moved only two bales all the remainder caught alight.

The fire spread out of control. The starboard lifeboat rescued the five occupants of the dinghy and tried to approach the ship to rescue more people, but came in danger of being swamped and so abandoned the attempt. Amazon was still under way, rolling in the heavy sea while Symons and his crew still tried to keep her course steady.

By 04:00 the fire brought down the ship's foremast and mainmast. At 05:00 her magazine exploded and her mizzen mast was brought down. Her funnels glowed red-hot6 and about half an hour later she sank about 110 miles (180 km) west-south-west of the Isles of Scilly.

On the same documentation are the details of John Higginson of St Philip and his approved compensation claim of his numerous properties and slaves therein, also the details of his claims finalised by his executor for his son, a naval captain, as he died long before the compensation was actually paid.

Details of one claim in public record of John Higginson of St Philip; 288 slaves, compenstion paid £2,491 10s 2d to Robert Richard Deane as executor of John Higginson's Estate

Richard Deane appears as the attorney of William Barton, George Irlam and John Higginson in Essequebo in 1808.

Enslaved persons were registered in 1834 by Richard Deane, as the attorney to John Higginson.

Deane appears in the Slave Compensation records mainly as the executor of John Higginson, the last of the original partners in Barton, Irlam and Higginson, who died in 1834.

Public record shows amounts claimed were £2,491 10s 2d for his Sandy Lane slaves and £3,594 10s 9d for his Congo Road slaves

From public record; 'In 1833 ... Barton, Irlam & Higginson owned a number of Barbadian plantations with at least 1,232 slaves, making the firm one of the biggest slave owners on the island.' They were awarded the compensation for 12 claims in Barbados as executor of John Higginson (q.v.). Deane himself appears to have spent much of his life in Barbados and no trace of his death in Britain has yet been discovered.

Liverpool and Barbados merchant and slave-owner. The executor of John Higginson, Richard Deane (q.v.) was awarded the compensation under 12 awards in Barbados as executor.

Father of Jonathan Higginson (q.v.) and partner in Barton, Irlam and Higginson. Died 21/12/1834 at Liverpool. Buried St George Everton 26/12/1834 aged 58.

The will of John Higginson at present of St Michael Barbados made in 1833 was not proved until 14/12/1840 in London. Under the will he left an annuity of £600 p.a. to his wife Sarah Ann, to be reduced to £100 p.a. if she intermarried, together with his house on Everton Terrace. He instructed his trustees to provide £150 p.a. for the support of each of his children until 15, and then amounts at their discretion up to £250 p.a. for each child until 21, when each was to receive £5000. His son Jonathan inherited his estates at 'Over Peevor' in the County of Chester. He made his sons his co-residuary legatees, failing whom his sisters.

Interestingly John Higginson may well have been a descendant of a Reverend Higginson who was of Salem Mass. during the infamous Witch Trials, and his daughter was accused of witchcraft. The Reverend's son, Henry, later emigrated to Barbados. Henry Higginson became a merchant in Barbados and died of small pox in 1685.

Portrait of William Ansah Sessarakoo, circa 1749. In the 18th century, it was not uncommon for wealthy African leaders to send their sons, like William Ansah Sessarakoo, to Europe to be educated. In 1744, Sessarakoo boarded a ship to England when he was abruptly captured and sold into slavery when the ship stopped in Barbados. His father was able to secure his son’s freedom, and he continued his travel to England, where his portrait was taken.  read more

Code: 24393

An Early, Napoleonic Wars Era, 19th Century French Monarchy Period Silver and Gilt Cavalry Officer's Belt Buckle. Bourbon Restoration in France, King Louis XVIIIth 1814

This period of time is called the Bourbon Restoration and was marked by conflicts between reactionary Ultra-royalists, who wanted to restore the pre-1789 system of absolute monarchy, and liberals, who wanted to strengthen constitutional monarchy. Louis XVIII was the younger brother of Louis XVI, and reigned from 1814 to 1824. On becoming king, Louis issued a constitution known as the Charter which preserved many of the liberties won during the French Revolution and provided for a parliament composed of an elected Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of Peers that was nominated by the king
The rooster played an important role as the revolutionary symbol, but it would become an official emblem under the July Monarchy and the Second Republic when it was seen on the pole of regiments’ flags. In 1830, the "Gallic Rooster" replaced the fleur-de-lis as the national emblem, and it was again discarded by Napoleon III.

Silver French crest centre, applied a gilt plate and belt loop, with very unusually its original leather uniform protecter intact.  read more

Code: 24758