Antique Arms & Militaria

Superb & Rare Original, Solid Silver, Medieval Longbow Archer’s Thumb Ring, Mid 14th Century. Of the Battle of Crecy. From Our Latest Antiquities Collection Aquisition Recovered From Crecy, Azincourt and Other Famous Battle Sites in The 1820’s

For those bowmen that used them in the 13th to 14th-century, archer's thumb rings were essential tools of war. This example, being of solid silver would have been used by a high ranked yeoman archer, maybe a leader of a large section of archers, within the ranks of the the kings army. It would also be worn as a symbol of his status and rank, and thus worn when not in combat as well

This archers thumb ring was made circa 1340, over 680 years ago, and this is a superb, beautiful and historical original artifact. Stunning age patination of the silver In superb aged condition.
A thumb ring is a piece of equipment designed to protect the archer’s thumb during archery. It is a ring of that can be made of leather, stone, horn, wood, bone, antler, ivory, metal {silver or bronze}, even ceramics, which fits over the end of the thumb, coming to rest at the outer edge of the outer joint.
Typically a flat area extends from the ring to protect the pad of the thumb from the bowstring; this may be supplemented by a leather extension. An absolute iconic original piece of British history. In superb battlefield recovered patinated condition, and very nice indeed. Beautiful Items such as this were oft acquired in the 18th and early 19th century by British noblemen and women touring battle sites in Northern France and Italy, in fact most of Europe and the Middle East, on their so-called ‘Grand Tour’. They were often placed on display upon their return home, within the family’s 'cabinet of curiosities', within their country house. Some significant British stately homes had entire galleries displaying the treasures and artefacts gathered and purchased on such tours, and some tours lasted many years, and the accumulated souvenirs numbered in their hundreds or even thousands. A popular pastime in the 18th and 19th century, comprised of English ladies and gentlemen traveling for many months, or even years, throughout classical Europe, and the Middle East, acquiring knowledge and education on the arts, and thus returning with antiquities and antiques as souvenirs for their private collections, and these travels have been thus called ‘Grand Tours’. We recently acquired some beautiful pieces acquired from the descendant family of the 10th Duke of Hamilton in the 1820's such as the archer's ring from just north of the Mave River at Crecy.

Although traditional English archers often used three fingers (Mediterranean draw) or finger tabs, but some were obviously trained in the Ottoman style of archery.

The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 in northern France between a French army commanded by King Philip VI and an English army led by King Edward III. The French attacked the English while they were traversing northern France during the Hundred Years' War, resulting in an English victory and heavy loss of life among the French.

The English army had landed in the Cotentin Peninsula on 12 July. It had burnt a path of destruction through some of the richest lands in France to within 2 miles (3 km) of Paris, sacking many towns on the way. The English then marched north, hoping to link up with an allied Flemish army which had invaded from Flanders. Hearing that the Flemish had turned back, and having temporarily outdistanced the pursuing French, Edward had his army prepare a defensive position on a hillside near Crécy-en-Ponthieu. Late on 26 August the French army, which greatly outnumbered the English, attacked.

During a brief archery duel a large force of French mercenary crossbowmen was routed by Welsh and English longbowmen. The French then launched a series of cavalry charges by their mounted knights. These were disordered by their impromptu nature, by having to force their way through the fleeing crossbowmen, by the muddy ground, by having to charge uphill, and by the pits dug by the English. The attacks were further broken up by the effective fire from the English archers, which caused heavy casualties. By the time the French charges reached the English men-at-arms, who had dismounted for the battle, they had lost much of their impetus. The ensuing hand-to-hand combat was described as "murderous, without pity, cruel, and very horrible." The French charges continued late into the night, all with the same result: fierce fighting followed by a French retreat.

The English then laid siege to the port of Calais. The battle crippled the French army's ability to relieve the siege; the town fell to the English the following year and remained under English rule for more than two centuries, until 1558. Crécy established the effectiveness of the longbow as a dominant weapon on the Western European battlefield.
The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Part of an original medieval collection we have just acquired, of Viking and early British relics of warfare some from ancient battle sites recovered up to 220 years ago.
When drawing a bow using a thumb draw, the thumb is hooked around the bowstring just beneath the arrow and its grip reinforced with the first (sometimes second) finger. The bowstring rests against the inner pad of the archer's thumb and the thumb ring protects the skin. The bowstring rests against the flat of the ring when the bow is drawn. Today, thumb rings are used by archers practicing styles from most of Asia and some regions of northern Africa. Ishi, the "last wild American Indian", used a thumb draw, but no skin protection.
Thumb rings have been in use in Asia since the Neolithic period. The first examples were likely made of leather,.

As early western armies mainly used peasants as archers, and bowmen fought on foot. some may have needed little training as they already were using bows to hunt, and were indeed required to be trained on archery, usually with a Mediterranean draw. Of course, armies fought foreigners, and probably learnt their opponent's methods/strategies, as well as travelers who brought back hunting/fighting technique, but it may have been marginal amongst archers as the thumb ring draw was difficult to learn.

The regular English and Welsh bowmen fought on foot, but while they fought the major battles on foot, there were mounted archers, those bowmen in the chevauchées against the French. Effective use of the longbow required regular practice and it wasn't easy to just pick up and use one (which is why inferior firearms replaced the bows - the firearms were easier to master). In this period, hunting was the domain of the uppermost classes. The land, and the animals in it, was the property of the king. Poaching could get you hanged.

In the chevauchées it would be unlikely longbows would be used while mounted. Unlikely dismounting to shoot, so using a smaller hunting bow is far more likely. Nobles hunted with shorter handbows commonly, but the bow and the technique were distinct from longbow. Both the length of the longbow, and the posture used for the longbow would make mounted archery quite difficult.

From our latest original antiquities collection arrival, that contain many pieces acquired from famous historical battle sites while on a ‘Grand Tour’ in the 1820’s, such as this superb piece, at Agincourt, and other pieces from such as Crecy and Poitiers, and Paris.  read more

Code: 26128

French Crossbowman’s Quarell Head From The Site of The Battle of Crecy

In superbly conserved condition, an iconic antiquity and souvenir from one of the greatest engagement between the French and English in the 100 years war. A battle where the famed Edward, the Black Prince gained his spurs.

We recently acquired some other beautiful pieces, from the descendant family of the 10th Duke of Hamilton, that their ancestors had purchased in the 1820's during a Grand Tour, from just north of the Mave River at Crecy.

The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 in northern France between a French army commanded by King Philip VI and an English army led by King Edward III. The French attacked the English while they were traversing northern France during the Hundred Years' War, resulting in an English victory and heavy loss of life among the French.

The English army had landed in the Cotentin Peninsula on 12 July. It had burnt a path of destruction through some of the richest lands in France to within 2 miles (3 km) of Paris, sacking many towns on the way. The English then marched north, hoping to link up with an allied Flemish army which had invaded from Flanders. Hearing that the Flemish had turned back, and having temporarily outdistanced the pursuing French, Edward had his army prepare a defensive position on a hillside near Crécy-en-Ponthieu. Late on 26 August the French army, which greatly outnumbered the English, attacked.

During a brief archery duel a large force of French mercenary crossbowmen was routed by Welsh and English longbowmen. The French then launched a series of cavalry charges by their mounted knights. These were disordered by their impromptu nature, by having to force their way through the fleeing crossbowmen, by the muddy ground, by having to charge uphill, and by the pits dug by the English. The attacks were further broken up by the effective fire from the English archers, which caused heavy casualties. By the time the French charges reached the English men-at-arms, who had dismounted for the battle, they had lost much of their impetus. The ensuing hand-to-hand combat was described as "murderous, without pity, cruel, and very horrible." The French charges continued late into the night, all with the same result: fierce fighting followed by a French retreat.

The English then laid siege to the port of Calais. The battle crippled the French army's ability to relieve the siege; the town fell to the English the following year and remained under English rule for more than two centuries, until 1558. Crécy established the effectiveness of the longbow as a dominant weapon on the Western European battlefield.

Edward the Black Princes role at Crecy;
Early on 26 August 1346, before the start of the Battle of Crécy, Edward received the sacrament with his father at Crécy, and took the command of the right, or van, of the army with the earls of Warwick and Oxford (Sirs Geoffroy d'Harcourt and John Chandos) and other leaders. An unconfirmed source says that they commanded 800 men-at-arms, 2,000 archers, and 1,000 Welsh foot soldiers. When the Genoese bowmen and the front line of the French became disordered, Edward apparently left his position to attack their second line. However, the Count of Alençon then charged his division, putting Edward in great danger, and the leaders who commanded with him sent a messenger to tell Edward III to beg for assistance.14 When Edward III learned that his son was not wounded, he responded that he would send no help, for he wished to give Edward the opportunity to "win his spurs" (despite already being knighted), and to allow the English army the honour of the victory. In the battle, Edward was thrown to the ground, then was rescued by Sir Richard Fitz-Simon, his standard-bearer, who protected Edwards as he regained his feet.15 Probably by this time, the French advanced to the elevated ground of the English position. Earl of Arundel, having been sent for help by Harcourt, forced back the French.13


Edward III with the Black Prince after the Battle of Crécy by Benjamin West, 1788
A flank attack on the side of Wadicourt was then attempted by the Counts of Alençon and Ponthieu, but the English were strongly entrenched there, and the French were unable to penetrate the defences. The French lost the Duke of Lorraine and the Counts of Alençon and Blois.13 The two front lines of their army were broken, and King Philip's division then engaged. Edward III perhaps advanced at the head of the reserve, and the rout was soon completed. When the battle was over, Edward III met his son and declared that he had acquitted himself loyally. The next day, the two paid funeral honours to King John of Bohemia.
The legend states that Edward, the Black Prince, adopted the ostrich feather crest and "Ich Dien" motto of the blind King John of Bohemia after defeating him at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. While this story is popular, evidence suggests it may be a romanticized myth, as John actually used vulture wings, and the badge's origins are not fully verified. Following the Battle of Crécy, the Black Prince allegedly found the body of the blind King John of Bohemia and took his crest (ostrich feathers) and motto ("Ich dien" - I serve) to honor his bravery.
There is no solid historical evidence supporting this claim. King John's actual crest was vultures' wings. The story of the feathers first appeared in writing in 1376, the year the Black Prince died.
The badge, which is not connected to native Welsh princes, consists of three white feathers in a gold coronet with the motto, and has been associated with the Prince of Wales since at least 1901.
Some theories suggest the feathers were a nod to the Welsh archers who were crucial to the victory, with "Ich Dien" potentially being a corruption of the Welsh phrase "Eich Dyn" ("Your Man"



Painting of Edward The Black Prince pays his respects to King John of Bohemia (John the Blind) in the aftermath of the Battle of Crécy 1346  read more

Code: 26129

An Original Ancient 13th Century, Ancestral Crusader Knight's Iron Battle Mace & Scorpion Head. From The Site of the Battle of Crecy Fought on The 26 August 1346 Recovered in the 1800's During a ‘Grand Tour’

Pineapple shaped head with large mounting hole. The type as were also used as a Flail Mace, with the centre mount being filled with lead and then a chain mounted upon an inserted hook in the lead centre. Otherwise it was mounted upon a haft.

It has flattened pyramidical protuberances around its whole surface and probably English made.

Made for a mounted Knight in the era of the Crusades, to use as an armour smasher and a helmet crusher in mortal combat. Although made in the crusades era in the 1200's it would have been continually used up to the 14th century, up to and including the first decade of the hundred years war, at the Battle of Crecy, in 1346. We recently acquired some other beautiful pieces, from the descendant family of the 10th Duke of Hamilton, that their ancestors had purchased in the 1820's during a Grand Tour, from just north of the Mave River at Crecy.

On a Flail it had the name of a Scorpion in England or France, or sometimes a Battle-Whip. It was also wryly known as a 'Holy Water Sprinkler'.

King John The Ist of Bohemia used exactly such a weapon, as he was blind, and the act of 'Flailing the Mace' meant that his lack of sight was no huge disadvantage in close combat. Although blind he was a valiant and the bravest of the Warrior Kings, who perished at the Battle of Crecy against the English in 1346. On the day he was slain he instructed his Knights both friends and companions to lead him to the very centre of battle, so he may strike at least one blow against his enemies. His Knights tied their horses to his, so the King would not be separated from them in the press, and they rode together into the thick of battle, where King John managed to strike not one but at least four noble blows. The following day of the battle, the horses and the fallen knights were found all about the body of their most noble King, all still tied to his steed. His body was recovered and the Black Prince paid homage alongside, his father King Edward IIIrd, to this most brave and valorous king

The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 in northern France between a French army commanded by King Philip VI and an English army led by King Edward III. The French attacked the English while they were traversing northern France during the Hundred Years' War, resulting in an English victory and heavy loss of life among the French.

The English army had landed in the Cotentin Peninsula on 12 July. It had burnt a path of destruction through some of the richest lands in France to within 2 miles (3 km) of Paris, sacking many towns on the way. The English then marched north, hoping to link up with an allied Flemish army which had invaded from Flanders. Hearing that the Flemish had turned back, and having temporarily outdistanced the pursuing French, Edward had his army prepare a defensive position on a hillside near Crécy-en-Ponthieu. Late on 26 August the French army, which greatly outnumbered the English, attacked.

During a brief archery duel a large force of French mercenary crossbowmen was routed by Welsh and English longbowmen. From the antiquities collection we also have a French crossbow quarrel head .
The French then launched a series of cavalry charges by their mounted knights. These were disordered by their impromptu nature, by having to force their way through the fleeing crossbowmen, by the muddy ground, by having to charge uphill, and by the pits dug by the English. The attacks were further broken up by the effective fire from the English archers, which caused heavy casualties. By the time the French charges reached the English men-at-arms, who had dismounted for the battle, they had lost much of their impetus. The ensuing hand-to-hand combat was described as "murderous, without pity, cruel, and very horrible." The French charges continued late into the night, all with the same result: fierce fighting followed by a French retreat.

The English then laid siege to the port of Calais. The battle crippled the French army's ability to relieve the siege; the town fell to the English the following year and remained under English rule for more than two centuries, until 1558. Crécy established the effectiveness of the longbow as a dominant weapon on the Western European battlefield.

Early on 26 August 1346, before the start of the Battle of Crécy, Edward received the sacrament with his father at Crécy, and took the command of the right, or van, of the army with the earls of Warwick and Oxford (Sirs Geoffroy d'Harcourt and John Chandos) and other leaders. An unconfirmed source says that they commanded 800 men-at-arms, 2,000 archers, and 1,000 Welsh foot soldiers. When the Genoese bowmen and the front line of the French became disordered, Edward apparently left his position to attack their second line. However, the Count of Alençon then charged his division, putting Edward in great danger, and the leaders who commanded with him sent a messenger to tell Edward III to beg for assistance.14 When Edward III learned that his son was not wounded, he responded that he would send no help, for he wished to give Edward the opportunity to "win his spurs" (despite already being knighted), and to allow the English army the honour of the victory. In the battle, Edward was thrown to the ground, then was rescued by Sir Richard Fitz-Simon, his standard-bearer, who protected Edwards as he regained his feet.15 Probably by this time, the French advanced to the elevated ground of the English position. Earl of Arundel, having been sent for help by Harcourt, forced back the French.13


Edward III with the Black Prince after the Battle of Crécy by Benjamin West, 1788
A flank attack on the side of Wadicourt was then attempted by the Counts of Alençon and Ponthieu, but the English were strongly entrenched there, and the French were unable to penetrate the defences. The French lost the Duke of Lorraine and the Counts of Alençon and Blois.13 The two front lines of their army were broken, and King Philip's division then engaged. Edward III perhaps advanced at the head of the reserve, and the rout was soon completed. When the battle was over, Edward III met his son and declared that he had acquitted himself loyally. The next day, the two paid funeral honours to King John of Bohemia.
The 2009 Encyclopædia Britannica uses the figures of about 6,000 for the English and 20,000 to 30,000 for the French. Part of an original medieval collection we have just acquired, of Viking and early British relics of warfare some from ancient battle sites recovered up to 220 years ago.  read more

Code: 17235

Welcome to The Lanes Armoury, Britain's Truly Magical Place, Where Original & Breathtaking Wonders Are For Sale

Our beautiful pieces from history are not always just for looking at, some can still be enjoyed and worn for every one to see.

We Are Not Just A Webstore, We Are Always Welcoming Personal Visitors To Our Gallery In Brighton Every Day*

Thousands of original pieces of history, for example, from Ancient Rome and Greece to Medieval Japan, and Viking Europe. Covering British, European, and in fact, all worldwide eras of historical events from the past 4000 years, with antiquities, weaponry, armour, object d’art, militaria and books from the bronze age to WW2.

Personalised Certificates of Authenticity can be supplied for every, single, purchase.

Our family have been personally serving the public in Brighton for generations, in fact, for over 105 years.

* Opening hours Monday to Saturday 11.00am till 4.00pm  read more

Code: 24055

A Rare 1853 Royal Warwickshire Regt. Historically Significant ‘Jamaican Rebellion’ Enfield Bayonet The Morant Bay Rebellion, From a Defender of Paul Bogle.

Regimentally marked bayonet for the 6th Regiment, the Royal Warwickshire. Maker marked by Deakin and full ordnance inspection stamps. A souvenir from a descendant of a defender of Paul Bogle’s, used with its service issue 1853 Enfield pattern rifle, in the Jamaican Rebellion in Morant Bay of 1864/5. The 1865 Jamaican uprising was put down by 6th Regt, The Royal Warwickshire soldiers. A leader of the Warwickshire Regiment, Colonel J. Francis Hobbs, led the British reprisals against Bogle’s community. Hobbs report to Governor Eyre (19 October) resulted in a commendation for bravery: "I found it most dangerous work crossing over the numerous rivers, which took the men above their waists. There was not a single non-commissioned officer or soldier who was not literally wet through, and every article of their clothing, saddlery, etc., utterly destroyed.

"Added to this, the entire darkness of the night made it a march never to be forgotten in the 6th Regiment. About daylight this morning, in passing through this village of cross roads, where the rebels destroyed everything, I found a number of special constables, who had captured a number of prisoners from the rebel camp.

"From this we at once went to Stony Gut After partaking of some biscuits and rum in Bogle’s chapel, sending off his lamps as a trophy to his excellency the governor, and utterly destroying this rebellious settlement, I have returned with my jaded and sore-foot troops to this spot, where we bivouacked for the night in another ecclesiastical building, called the Chigoe-Foot Methodist Chapel.

"I must not forget to tell you that I have got Paul Bogle’s valet for my guide, a little fellow of extraordinary intelligence. A light rope tied to the stirrup, and a revolver now and then to his head cause us to understand each other; and he knows every single rebel in the island by name and face, and has been selecting the captains, colonels and secretaries out of an immense gang of prisoners just come in here."

Hobbs account of this bloody expedition was used as evidence in the Royal Commission of Inquiry which was set up to investigate Eyre’s role. Although it is doubtful whether Hobbs would have received the missive in time, he was certainly acting in the spirit of his commander’s instructions; the Deputy Adjutant-General John Henry Elkington (from a family of military officers with branches in Warwickshire and Leicestershire), had written to him on 18th October: "Colonel, I send you an order to push on at once to Stony Gut but I trust you are there already. Hole is doing splendid service with his men all about Machioneal" Paul Bogle (1822 to 24 October 1865) was a Jamaican Baptist deacon and activist. He is a National Hero of Jamaica. He was a leader of the 1865 Morant Bay protesters, who marched for justice and fair treatment for all the people in Jamaica. After leading the Morant Bay rebellion, Bogle was captured by government troops, tried and convicted by British authorities under martial law, and hanged on 24 October 1865 in the morant bay court house. The "Eyre Controversy" turned into a long and increasingly public issue, dividing well-known figures of the day. It may have contributed to the fall of the government. In 1866 John Stuart Mill set up and chaired the Jamaica Committee to examine the atrocities committed in Jamaica in the course of ending the rebellion. Thomas Carlyle set up a rival committee to defend Eyre. His supporters included John Ruskin, Charles Kingsley, Charles Dickens and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.  read more

Code: 21392

A Most Scarce Edward VIIth 20th Hussars Cap Badge, Used in The Boer War and WW1

The regiment was not deployed to South Africa until December 1901 for service in the Second Boer War and therefore only took part in the final drives against the Boer commandos in spring 1902. The regiment was based in Ireland again from 1908 to 1911.

The regiment, which was based in Colchester at the start of the First World War, landed in France as part of the 5th Cavalry Brigade in the 2nd Cavalry Division in August 1914 for service on the First World War. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Mons in August 1914 and both the First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of the Aisne in September 1914. It went on fight at the First Battle of Ypres in October 1914, the Battle of Arras in April 1917 and the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917. It later took part in the German Spring Offensive in 1918, the Battle of Amiens in August 1918 and the final push as the war drew to a close  read more

Code: 21116

An Absolutely Fabulous & Spectacular Javanese Kris Royal Dagger. With Pure Gold Snake or Dragon God, A 'Naga' Symbol Onlaid on to The Fabulous Pamor Serpentine Blade of 13 Lok or Waves. Boat Shaped Ladrang Scabbard of Javan Pelet Wood

Probably 19th to early 20th century., in overall superb condition for age.

In an esteemed London auction house, a most similar quality gold inlaid example, of the same age, sold four Decembers ago for just over £5,400 inc commission. This is simply one of the most beautiful we have seen on the market in over 20 years.

A sarpa lumarka wavy blade with a gold naga snake in sangkelat 13 waves, or lok. Ladrang form of wrangka hilt crosspiece boat form of a simply stunningly grained wood, which may well be Javan pelet, with a fine gilt metal sleeve covering the haft, with a most intricate and detailed pieced design on the obverse side. In Java, the metal sleeve is called pendokbunton, which is a full metal sleeve.

The keris or kris is considered a magical weapon, filled with great spiritual power. In Javanese there is a term "Tosan Aji" or "Magic Metal" used to describe the keris. The keris is replete with the totems of Malay-Indonesian culture of hindu and islam. The blade is a mixture of meteoric steel and nickel According to traditional Javanese kejawen, kris contain all the intrinsic elements of nature: tirta (water), bayu (wind), agni (fire), bantolo (earth, but also interpreted as metal or wood which both come from the earth), and aku (lit: "I" or "me", meaning that the kris has a spirit or soul). All these elements are present during the forging of kris. Earth is metal forged by fire being blown by pumped wind, and water to cool down the metal. In Bali, the kris is associated with the naga or dragon, which also symbolizes irrigation canals, rivers, springs, wells, spouts, waterfalls and rainbows; thus, the wavy blade symbolizes the movement of the serpent. Some kris have a naga or serpent head carved near the base with the body and tail following the curves of the blade to the tip. A wavy kris is thus a naga in motion, aggressive and alive; a straight blade is one at rest, its power dormant but ready to come into action.

In former times, kris blades were said to be infused with poison during their forging, ensuring that any injury was fatal. The process of doing so was kept secret among smiths. Different types of whetstones, acidic juice of citrus fruits and poisonous arsenic bring out the contrast between the dark black iron and the light coloured silvery nickel layers which together form pamor, damascene patterns on the blade. The distinctive pamor patterns have specific meanings and names which indicate the special magical properties they are believed to impart  read more

Code: 22745

A Rare & Incredible Gilbert Islands Shark’s Tooth Kiribati Warriors Sword. In the Native Culture of The Islands It Is Called a Tebute. A Simply Amazing Original Conversation Piece.

A rarely seen {we have only had two in 15 years}, late 19th to early 20th century shark tooth sword, known as a tebute, and it is unique to the Gilbert Islands of Micronesia, the islands today are known as the nation of Kiribati.

The sword is made from seasoned wood of the coconut palm with cutting edges made from sharks teeth, attached with fine fibrous cords.

Most of these swords were destroyed by the maritime visitors to the islands. Kiribati has a history of contrived and ritualized duels. The armour was made of thickly woven sennit, a kind of coconut fibre. The duellists wore helmets made of blowfish remains. The helmets were resilient and, due to the structure of blowfish, covered with many points, which had the ability of damaging weapons. The weapons resembled broadswords with a serrated edge created with many shark teeth. The duels were performed mostly for the purpose of settling disputes and maintaining honour. The practicality of the duels is debatable. Due to the difficulty of moving in this armour, falling over and becoming unable to get back up was common enough that duel assistants were required. Kiribati has been known for its traditional martial arts which were kept within the secrets of several families for generations. The Kiribati arts of fighting as opposed to Asian martial arts are not often mentioned or even advertised to be known by the general public. Though, there may be some noticeable parallels in principle to that of Asian martial arts, they are merely really different. For instance, generally, there is no kicking as in Karate kicks or Kung Fu kicks, and speed is more important than power. A list of some of these traditional martial arts is as follows: Nabakai, Nakara, Ruabou, Tabiang, Taborara, Tebania, Temata-aua, Te Rawarawanimon, and Terotauea.

The essence of Kiribati traditional martial arts is the magical power of the spirits of the ancestral warriors. All these martial arts skills share one thing in common. That is, they came from an ancestral spirit.

"Nabakai" is a martial art from the island of Abaiang originated from the person named Nabakai. Nabakai was a member of the crab clan called "Tabukaokao". The three ancestral female spirits of this clan "Nei Tenaotarai", "Nei Temwanai" and "Nei Tereiatabuki" which usually believed to manifest themselves with a female crab came to him and taught him the fighting art. Overall 61 cm long.  read more

Code: 20923

An Absolutely Supurb Original Antique Maritime Collectable. A Battle of Trafalger Period Royal Navy Rum, Stoneware Ceramic Rum Barrel, with King George IIIrd Royal Crest And Lions, & 'Fore and Aft' Barrel Tap Apertures

One can easily imagine the Royal Naval officer's of the days before the Battle of Trafalgar availing themselves daily of tots of rum from this magnificent vessal. For meals though, the officer's were supplied with decanted Port.

This is a simply superb navy rum barrel, stunningly impress decorated throughout the whole surface. with the Hanovarian royal crest of the Lion and Unicorn with lion surmounted crown, over the Hanovarian garter and shield. To the base of the crest are twin facing lions, in the same seated pose as can be seen at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Prior to 1655, a sailor's ration of alcoholic beverage was originally beer with a daily ration of one gallon (i.e. eight pints). This official allowance continued until after the Napoleonic Wars. When beer was not available, as it would often spoil easily, it could be substituted by a pint of wine or half a pint of spirits depending on what was locally available. In 1655, the difficulty in storing the large quantities of liquid required led to beer's complete replacement with spirits, with the political influence of the West Indian planters giving rum preference over arrack and other spirits. The half-pint of spirits was originally issued neat; it is said that sailors would "prove" its strength by checking that gunpowder doused with rum would still burn (thus verifying that rum was at least 57% ABV).

The practice of compulsorily diluting rum in the proportion of half a pint to one quart of water was first introduced in 1740 by Admiral Edward Vernon (known as Old Grog, because of his habitual grogram cloak). The ration was also split into two servings, one between 10 am and noon and the other between 4 and 6 pm. In 1795 Navy regulations required adding small quantities of lemon or lime juice to the ration, to prevent scurvy. The rum itself was often procured from distillers in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the British Virgin Islands. Rations were cut in half in 1823 and again in half, to the traditional amount, one-eighth of an imperial pint in 1850.

The abolition of the rum ration had been discussed in Parliament in 1850 and again in 1881 however nothing came of it. However, one dark day in 1970, Admiral Peter Hill-Norton abolished the rum ration as he felt it could have led to sailors failing a breathalyser test and being less capable to manage complex machinery.
This decision to end the rum ration was made after the Secretary of State for Defence had taken opinions from several ranks of the Navy. Ratings were instead allowed to purchase beer, and the amount allowed was determined, according to the MP David Owen, by the amount of space available for stowing the extra beer in ships. The last rum ration was on 31 July 1970 and became known as Black Tot Day as sailors were unhappy about the loss of the rum ration. There were reports that the day involved sailors throwing tots into the sea and the staging of a mock funeral in a training camp. In place of the rum ration, sailors were allowed to buy three one-half imperial pint cans of beer a day and improved recreational facilities. While the rum ration was abolished, the order to "splice the mainbrace", awarding sailors an extra tot of rum for good service, remained as a command which could only be given by the Monarch and is still used to recognise good service. Rum rations are also given on special occasions: in recent years, examples included the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy in 2010 and after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
Heavy stoneware, around 8 kilos {guess} size, 17 inches high 13 inches across/  read more

Code: 25216

A Beautiful Silver Mounted Javanese Pedang Lurus Dagger. A Fine Example of 19th Century Javanese Silverwork.

A Javanese dagger pedang lurus . Slightly swollen single edged blade 21cms with striking pamor, often made of meteorite steel mixed with meteorite nickel, silver hilt and sheath nicely embossed and engraved with foliage. Good condition. In Western literature this type of Indonesian edged weapon is often called pedang lurus, literally straight sword, even though they are not always perfectly straight. It probably refers to the fact they are straighter than a keris or saber. The term is specifically used for a group of Indonesian shortswords that come mounted entirely in silver. They typically bear some striking resemblances to European hunting swords, like the shape of handle and guard, the belt stopper on the scabbard, and the often ribbed scabbard end. The mounts, and sometimes the blades, were probably inspired by such hunting swords that were worn by colonists.

This straight bladed sword or pedang lurus represents a fine example of 19th century Javanese silverwork. Also known as a pedang luwuk, the pedang lurus is associated with central Java, particularly Surakarta and to a lesser extent Yogyakarta, each being royal centres with kratons (palaces) and flourishing court arts.
The hilt has been cast, chased and engraved in high relief with rococo-inspired leafy and stylised flowering motifs. It is shaped as a stylised kris hilt which in town often are shaped as highly stylised wayang characters.
The pomel is covered in sheet silver and has been lightly etched with foliate and floral motifs.
The scabbard is of plain sheet silver over a wooden base, and is beautifully engraved on both sides with a repeated serrated leaf and flower motiff.
The blade, in watered iron/nickel is straight and highly decoratively adorned
Overall, this is an beautiful pedang lurus in a form that is not often encountered.. REFERENCES
Avieropoulou Choo, A., Silver: A Guide to the Collections, National Museum Singapore, 1984.

Hardianti, E.S. & P. ter Keurs (eds.), Indonesia: The Discovery of the Past, KIT Publishers for De Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam, 2005.

National Museum Jakarta, Treasures of the National Museum Jakarta, Buku Antar Bangsa, 1997.

Van Zonneveld, A., Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago, C. Zwartenkot Art Books, 2001.  read more

Code: 22571