Very Rare, 1616 Coryate's Traveller For The English Wits. A "Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen" Member, Tom Coryate's Book Is Believed To Be The Inspiration For The British Phenomenon Of The Grand Tour, And Only The 2nd Traveler To India

An incredible book for the seasoned explorer-traveler. Written by the man who introduced the dinner fork to the English speaking world, and was the first Englishman and Elizabethan to be a traveler, simply for the joy of travelling to unvisited parts, and this book was first published in 1616.
Tom Coryate, fellow writer and friend of Ben Jonson, John Donne and Inigo Jones, is known as only the second Englishman to visit India, and the first ever traveler of the so called Grand Tour. The man, that history accredits, who introduced dinner forks to the English speaking world. This superb tome is entitled 'Greeting from the court of the Great Moghul, and resident in Asmere a town in Eastern India'. By Tom Coliate.
A seemingly small book, composed of numerous letters, sent in the early 1600's to his English friends, from India. They were various gentleman of note and standing, including the Master of the Rolles in Chancery Lane and to the "Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen" at the Mermaid Inn. Coriates 'Traveller for the English Wits; Greetings from the court of the most mighty monarch, the Great Moghul'. Ist Published in London in 1616 and this is a very rare, original, early 18th century copy. It has many border annotations and quotes, made by an owner, some in ancient Greek, and additions affixed on the inside cover including old bookseller advertisements. The original and first 1616 printing is now so rare that we do not know of another coming on to the market in the last fifteen years, and today, if one was to appear it would be not unreasonable to attract a likely price of £25,000. In 1912 another of his published books the earlier Cortyate's Crudities sold for the princely sum of £45, the equivalent today of the paid employment of a household of servants for one year. Thomas Coriate traveller for the English wits, greeting: from the court of the Great Mogul, resident at the Towne of Asmere, in Easterne India (London: 1616), p.27. The remarkable and eccentric Coryate (1577-1617) was only the second Englishman to visit India simply out of curiosity, a journey of some 3,300 miles, most of which he accomplished on foot. In a letter to his mother in England Coryates writes, 'I have rid upon an elephant since I came to this Court, determining one day (by Gods leave) to have my picture expressed in my next Booke, sitting upon an elephant' (p.26). Coryat was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, and lived most of his life in the Somerset village of Odcombe. He was a son of George Coryate (d. 1607). He was educated at Winchester College from 1591, and at Gloucester Hall, Oxford from 1596 to 1599. He was employed by Prince Henry, eldest son of James I as a sort of "court jester" from 1603 to 1607, alongside Ben Jonson, John Donne and Inigo Jones.

From May to October 1608 he undertook a tour of Europe, somewhat less than half of which he walked. He travelled through France and Italy to Venice, and returned via Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. He published his memoirs of the events in a volume entitled Coryat's Crudities hastily gobbled up in Five Months Travels in France, Italy, &c' (1611). In 1611 he published a second volume of travel writings, this one entitled Coryats Crambe, or his Coleworte twice Sodden. Coryat's letters from this time refer to the famous Mermaid Tavern in London, and mention Ben Jonson, John Donne and other members of a drinking club "Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen" that met there.

Ever restless, he set out once again in 1612, this time on a journey that would ultimately lead to Asia, visiting Greece, the eastern Mediterranean including Constantinople by 1614, and walking through Turkey, Persia and eventually Moghul India by 1615, visiting the Emperor Jahangir's court in Ajmer, Rajasthan. From Agra and elsewhere he sent letters describing his experiences; this very book his Greetings from the Court of the Great Mogul was published in London in 1616, and a similar volume of his letters home appeared posthumously in 1618. In September 1617, at the invitation of Sir Thomas Roe, he visited the imperial court at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. In November 1617 he left for Surat; he died of dysentery there in December of that year, his demise hastened by the consumption of sack. Though his planned account of the journey was never to be, some of his unorganized travel notes have survived and found their way back to England. These were published in the 1625 edition of Samuel Purchas's Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, contayning a History of the World in Sea Voyages and Lande Travells, by Englishmen and others.

Coryat's writings were hugely popular at the time. His accounts of inscriptions, many of which are now lost, were valuable; and his accounts of Italian customs and manners including the use of the table fork were influential in England at a time when other aspects of Italian culture, such as the madrigal, had already been in vogue for more than twenty years. He is considered by many to have been the first Briton to do a Grand Tour of Europe; a practice which became a mainstay of the education of upper class Englishmen in the 18th century.  read more

Code: 20700

A Remarkably Beautiful & Elegant Proto Celtic Bronze Age Bracelet Circa 2600 Years Old. That Continued Use Into Era Of The Great Iceni Celtic Queen Boudica. And, The Bracelet That Inspired Gustav Klimt One Of The Greatest Art Nouveau Artists In The World

This is an original Celtic 2600 year old bronze serpentine ringed cuff bracelet, 'object vertu' that was directly copied by one of the greatest Art Nouveau artists in the world, Austrian, Gustav Klimt leader of his Art Nouveau Jugendstil Vienna Secession Movement. Gustav Klimt's painting "Dame Mit Fächer" (Lady with a Fan) sold at Sotheby's in London, in 2023 for $108.4 million. See photo in the gallery of the {circa 1895} Jugendstil Vienna Secession bracelet, an obvious direct copy.

From the 8th to 6th centuries BC, developing out of the Urnfield culture of the 12th century BC (Late Bronze Age) and followed in much of its area by the La Tène culture. It is commonly associated with Proto-Celtic speaking populations.

By the 6th century BC, it had expanded to include wide territories, falling into two zones, east and west, between them covering much of western and central Europe down to the Alps, and extending into northern Italy. Parts of Britain and Iberia are included in the ultimate expansion of the Celtic culture. Where the snake serpentine designs of jewellery and adornments continued into Ancient Britannia, and the realm in Norfolk of the greatest and most famous Iceni Queen, Boudica, scourge and destroyer of the 70,000 to 80,000 Britannia based 9th Legion of Rome and their pro Roman supporters, in 61 A.D. In the Roman towns of Camulodunum, Verulamium, and Londinium.

This bracelet was the direct inspiration, but actually it is clearly an identical copy, for Gustav Klimt's
Art Nouveau Jugendstil Vienna Secession, brass cuff bracelet

See the gallery the stunning Gustav Klimt Jugendstil Vienna Secession brass cuff bracelet, circa 1895, currently offered by exclusive jewellery and object vertu dealers DFS in New York
Sale price $5,500.00.

The history of the evolution of the Celts from their Austrian origins

In German historiography, these seats of power are called fürstensitz. These were large, fortified hill forts situated on easily defendable locations. There were at least 16 such seats of power, while there were probably more just waiting to be discovered. The most important ones were at Hochdorf, Wurzburg, Heuneburg, Hohenasberg, Breisach, Mont Lassois, Vix, and Camp de Chassey, amongst others. These fortified settlements were protected by a complex system of ditches and earthen ramparts.

Most modern scholars and historians associate the culture with the Celts. It is commonly understood that this intriguing culture was the foundation from which emerged the wondrous Celtic world that we all know so well. In many aspects, this was is clearly the earliest, Proto-Celtic stage in Bronze and Iron age Europe.

2,25 inches across, 1 inch high.

Photo 10 in the gallery is a same period Celtic Diadem in the Metropolitan Museum in the USA. One can clearly see the distinct design in this piece reflected in the bracelet. Possibly both forms of these adornments were worn together and simultaneously by the Celtic hi-born {tribal leaders, princes princesses and the like} A diadem is a type of crown, specifically an ornamental headband, often jeweled, worn by monarchs and others to signify royalty or high status. It can also refer to a jeweled ornament in the shape of a half crown worn by women. In a broader sense, "diadem" can be used to describe any emblem of regal power or dignity.

For reference see; Stead, I. M. (1997). Celtic Art. Harvard University Press

https://www.metmuseum.org/

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury 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 trading  read more

Code: 25815

An Original, Rare Incredible & Historical Piece. Silver Imperial Roman Centurion or Tribune's Military Ring of Victory, 2nd Century AD Engraved with the Intaglio of Winged Victory, wearing her helmet and holding the laurel wreath of Victory

The rings surface shows combat service wear, yet has survived remarkably well considering it is near 2000 years old.

The laurel wreath was worn symbolically by the Imperial Roman Emperors. Military Roman bronze rings were allowed to be worn by the Legionary or Centurion, but silver grade was only for the ranks of such as the Centurion, Tribune or Legate.

Victoria, in Roman religion, personification of victory, the equivalent of the Greek goddess Nike. She was often associated with Jupiter, Mars, and other deities and was especially worshipped by the army. In later times she had three or four sanctuaries at Rome, including a temple on the Palatine Hill and an altar in the Senate House.

After the Marian reforms of 107 BC (subsequently further formalised by the emperor Claudius) created a professionalised military system, legions were commanded by a legionary legate (legatus). Six tribunes were still posted to a legion, but their duties and responsibilities had changed, becoming more a political position than a military rank. The second-in-command to the legate was the tribunus laticlavius or 'broad-stripe' tribune (named after the width of the stripe used to demarcate him on his tunic and toga),6 usually a young man of senatorial rank. He was given this position to learn and watch the actions of the legate. They often found themselves leading their unit in the absence of a legate, and some legions were permanently commanded by a broad-stripe tribune, such as those stationed in Egypt, as an Augustan law required that no member of the Senatorial Order ever enter Egypt.

A Centurion was a position in the Roman army during classical antiquity, nominally the commander of a century, a military unit originally consisting of 100 legionaries. The size of the century changed over time, and from the first century BC through most of the imperial era was reduced to 80 men.

In a Roman legion, centuries were grouped into cohorts and commanded by their senior-most centurion. The prestigious first cohort was led by the primus pilus, the most senior centurion in the legion and its fourth-in-command who was next in line for promotion to Praefectus Castrorum, and the primi ordines who were the centurions of the first cohort.

This fine ring was worn by higher ranked military officer's from the era of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, 161 to 180 ad, the last part of his reign was dramatically represented in the blockbuster film 'Gladiator', starring Richard Harris as the Emperor. He acceded to the throne of Emperor alongside his adoptive brother, who reigned under the name Lucius Verus. Under his rule the Roman Empire witnessed heavy military conflict. In the East, the Romans fought successfully with a revitalised Parthian Empire and the rebel Kingdom of Armenia. Marcus defeated the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatian Iazyges in the Marcomannic Wars; however, these and other Germanic peoples began to represent a troubling reality for the Empire.

Commodus. the successor and son of Marcus Aurelias, was the Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until the latter's death in 180, and thereafter he reigned alone until his assassination. His reign is commonly thought of as marking the end of a golden period of peace in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana.
Commodus became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16. Throughout his reign, Commodus entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain and praetorian prefects, named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander.

Commodus's assassination in 192, by a wrestler in the bath, marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury 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 trading  read more

Code: 24629

A Fabulous & Most Rare British, Hand Made Griffiths ‘Jacob’s Double Barrel Rifle Carbine, From The Early British Raj. Period Bespoke Commissioned From Griffiths Circa 1848 For An Officer of Jacobs Horse

From the same officer that used in combat our Scind Horse officer's sword that arrived this week.

The gun is the very inspiration for the famous Military Jacob's Rifle, used by the Scinde Irregular Force, Jacob’s Rifles, in the early 1850's, and this was commissioned for an officer of the regiment.

Apparently experimental versions of the rifle were manufactured for Jacob by George H. Daw, and we are told, Griffiths, who (among others) later advertised these fabulous hand made bespoke rifles of Daws gun.
A writer of the period described shooting a rifle of this form:
“The recoil is by no means pleasant. Jacob recommended a powder charge of some 2 drams 68 grains of gunpowder! This rifle does not seem to have any advantages at sporting ranges; but for military purposes it has been strongly recommended. Especially in reference to the explosive shells which are used with it.the shells require a short stout barrel, and cannot be used with a long thin one, like the Enfield still, Enfield-style rifles were actually manufactured with Jacob rifling, and seemed relatively popular. For killing large animals, like the elephant or rhinoceros, they are particularly qualified; and I should strongly recommend elephant hunters to examine the merits of this rifle. This rifle was made to accompany the howdah pistol as the big game hunting rifle to be equally at home on foot, on horseback or while standing in a howdah on one's elephant. But also for perfect use in Indian irregular cavalry by gentlemen officers. The brass mounts are superbly engraved throughout, including a Bengal tiger and lion below mount Kilimanjaro, and profuse, highly accomplished decorative scrolling.

This is a finest gentleman's hand made double rifle, circa 1848, made by Griffiths of England, it is also bearing Queen Victoria's crown mark to both locks, which would further indicate government military service. By comparing the Jacob's Rifle by photograph, to this fine rifle alongside each other, one can easily see where the inspiration came from. This gun also bears influences from the design of the earlier British military Baker and contemporary Brunswick rifles, with a near identical patchbox arrangement to Jacobs rifles but rectangular.

The Jacob's rifle was designed by General Jacobs of the Honourable East India Co. who was so admired and respected by all who knew him, for his intelligence and skill of command, he had a city named after him, in modern day Pakistan, called Jacobabad. He had spent 25 years improving rifled firearms, carrying on experiments unrivalled even by public bodies. A range of 200 yards sufficed in cantonments, but at Jacobabad he had to go into the desert to set up butts at a range of 2000 yards. He went for a four grooved rifle and had numerous experimental guns manufactured in London by the leading gunsmith George Daw and completely at his expense. Jacob, like Joseph Whitworth, was renowned not only as a soldier but as a mathematician, and his rifle was as unconventional as its designer. Rather than using a small .45 caliber bore Jacob stayed with more conventional .57-58 caliber (Bill Adams theorizes that this would allow use of standard service ammo in a pinch). In any case his rifle used four deep grooves and a conical bullet with corresponding lugs. Though unusual the Jacob?s rifle, precision made in London by master gunsmiths like George Daw, quickly gained a reputation for accuracy at extended ranges. They appealed in in particular to wealthy aristocratic scientists like Lord Kelvin, who swore by his. Jacob wanted to build a cannon on the same pattern, but died early at age 45.
A few Jacob’s were used during the American Civil War, and those were privately owned, usually by men able to afford the best. There is one account of one of Berdan’s men using one (the chaplain, Lorenzo Barber), who kept one barrel of his double rifle loaded with buckshot and the other with ball.

Jacob's Rifles was a regiment founded by Brigadier John Jacob CB in 1858. Better known as the commandant of the Sind Horse and Jacob's Horse, and the founder of Jacobabad, the regiment of rifles he founded soon gained an excellent reputation. It became after partition part of the Pakistani Army, whereas Jacob's Horse was assigned to the Indian Army. A number of his relatives and descendants served in the Regiment, notably Field Marshal Sir Claud Jacob, Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob and Brigadier Arthur Legrand Jacob, Claud's brother. As commander of the Scinde Irregular Horse, Jacob had become increasingly frustrated with the inferior weapons issued to his Indian cavalrymen. Being a wealthy man, he spent many years and much money on developing the perfect weapon for his 'sowars'. He eventually produced the rifle that bears his name. It could be sighted to 2000 yards (1 830m), and fire explosive bullets designed to destroy artillery limbers. It also sported a 30 inch (76,2cm) bayonet based on the Scottish claymore.

Jacob was an opinionated man who chose to ignore changing trends in firearm development, and he adopted a pattern of rifling that was both obsolete and troublesome. Nevertheless, his influence was such that during the Mutiny he was permitted to arm a new regiment with his design of carbine. It was named Jacob's Rifles.

Orders for the manufacture of the carbine and bayonet were placed in Britain, and all was set for its demonstration when Jacob died. In the hope the East India Company would honour the order, production continued for a little over a year. This gun is overall in super condition with excellent action. A most rare and highly desirable gun indeed, a super gentleman and officer's example.

We show in the gallery a photo of a most similar Jacob's military rifle in it's case with accessories to compare the two side by side, this is for comparison information only.
As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 20842

A Scarce Kingdom of Bavaria WW1 Medal Pair. A 1905 Bavarian Prinz Luitpold Pair With WW1 Honour {Hindenberg} Cross. The Honour Cross For WW1 Qualifying Veterans Throughout Imperial Germany & The German Kingdoms, Principalities, and Duchys

Rare Kingdom of Bavaria WW1 medal group. By an Armeebefehl dated 12. Marz 1905, Luitpold, Prinz von Bayern, regent of Bavaria, announced the creation of the Jubilee Medal (Jubilumsmedaille) for the Bavarian Army.
The event was the 70th anniversary of Luitpold's entering the army. This medal of merit is a bronze medal, oval in form. It is worn on a watered ribbon in the colours of the House and Knightly Order of St. Hubertus (cinnabar red with light green edges/zinnoberrot mit hellgrunen Randstreifen).

The obverse has a bust of Luitpold and the inscription "LUITPOLD PRINZ-REGENT VON BAYERN". The reverse has the inscription: "AM 70. JAHRESTAG MEINES DIENST-ANTRITTES DER BAYER. ARMEE GEWIDMET XII. III. MCMV."
Only 22,003 were ever awarded.

The only WW1 medal Adolf Hitler approved to be worn by WW1 recipients in their service in WW2. The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (German: Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, by an order dated 13 July 1934, to commemorate the distinguished deeds of the German people during the First World War. This was Germany's first official service medal for soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war, and where they had since died it was also awarded to their surviving next-of-kin. Shortly after its issuance, the government of Nazi Germany declared the award as the only official service decoration of the First World War and further forbid the continued wearing of German Free Corps awards on any military or paramilitary uniform of a state or Nazi Party organization. The Honour Cross was modelled on the reverse side of the War Commemorative Medal of 1870/71 (Preußen Kriegsdenkmünze 1870-1871). The form of it awarded to combatants (the Frontkämpferkreuz) shows a laurel wreath encircling a medallion, with the dates "1914 1918". Crossed swords are between the arms, while the Honour Cross for non-combatants has no swords and has instead a wreath of oak leaves. Both crosses are in bronze. The Honour Cross for Next-of-Kin (commonly known as the Widows Cross), is black. The Honour Cross is worn suspended from a ribbon with black edges, two white stripes, and a red stripe between them. The ribbon for the Honour Cross for Next-of-Kin has these colours in a different order, having a white edge, with two black stripes on either side of a red stripe. They were frequently worn with the ribbon fashioned into a bow, with a pin on the back, which the mother or widow in question attached to her clothing. The application for this award had a time limit, which expired at the end of 1942.  read more

Code: 21990

Samurai Katana Signed Kaneuji Around 1680, With The Toyatomi Clan & Imperial Kiri Kamon. With a Pair of Edo Ni Bu Ban Kin Rectangular ‘Bar’ Gold Coin Menuki. It Has an Amazingly Beautiful Polished Blade, With A Truly Elegant Curvature.

All original Edo mounts and a very fine original urushi lacquer saya. With most gorgeous Edo fuchi kashira, of very well executed high reliefs of arabesque vines, or karakusa. This style of carving is named Mino-bori it has within the design a kiri clan mon of the empress tree, the symbol of the the Toyotomi clan, that was later bestowed as a great honour to samurai family clan, by the Imperial Court, and the sword has matching kiri clan kamon of a pair of Edo period 2 Bubankin gold coins. The Kiri-mon (paulownia patterns) is a generic name for Monsho (crests or coats of arms) that are based on paulownia. It is also called Toka-mon. Since it was incused on money such as koban (former Japanese oval gold coin) after Muromachi period. A very nice Tetsu, gold inlaid, Bushu school sukashi tsuba.

Toyotomi-shi was a Japanese clan that ruled over the Japanese before the Edo period, and their symbol was the paulownia kiri kamon. The most influential figure within the Toyotomi was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three "unifiers of Japan". Oda Nobunaga was another primary unifier and the ruler of the Oda clan at the time. Hideyoshi joined Nobunaga at a young age, but was not highly regarded because of his peasant background. Nevertheless, Hideyoshi's increasing influence allowed him to seize a significant degree of power from the Oda clan following Oda Nobunaga's death in 1582. As the virtual ruler of most of Japan, Hideyoshi received the new clan name "Toyotomi" in 1585 from the emperor, and achieved the unification of Japan in 1590.

When Hideyoshi died in 1598, his son Toyotomi Hideyori was only five years old. Five regents were appointed to rule until his maturity, and conflicts among them began quickly. In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu deposed Hideyori and took power after winning the Battle of Sekigahara. In 1614, Hideyori came into conflict with the Tokugawa shogunate, leading to Tokugawa Ieyasu's Siege of Osaka from 1614 to 1615. As a result of the siege, Hideyori and his mother, Yodo-dono, committed seppuku in the flames of Osaka castle. After their death, the Toyotomi clan dissolved, leaving the Tokugawa clan to solidify their rule of Japan and the last member of the Toyotomi clan was Tenshuni ja (1609–1645). A rumor said that Toyotomi Hideyori's son Toyotomi Kunimatsu escaped execution, and another rumour said that Hideyori had an illegitimate son named Amakusa Shirō. The Kiri kamon became the Imperial mon and its use was permitted and granted as a mark of great honour by the imperial court and a sign of great favour awarded to a loyal and devoted samurai family

The stunning blade has just returned from artisan re-polishing and looks really,really beautiful.

The original Edo period urushi lacquer on the saya is in simply excellent condition and shows most elegant simplicity, yet a most intricate patterning in the black lacquer. it reveals within that simplicity the finest craftsmanship and beauty worthy of a master of the art of urushi decor. Japanese lacquer, or urushi, is a transformative and highly prized material that has been refined for over 7000 years.

Cherished for its infinite versatility, urushi is a distinctive art form that has spread across all facets of Japanese culture from the tea ceremony to the saya scabbards of samurai swords

Japanese artists created their own style and perfected the art of decorated lacquerware during the 8th century. Japanese lacquer skills reached its peak as early as the twelfth century, at the end of the Heian period (794-1185). This skill was passed on from father to son and from master to apprentice.

The first rectangular gold coin was the Ichibu Ban Kin, or One Bu Size Gold, introduced in 1599. This was long before any of the other forms of Japanese bar money, and it’s uncertain why it originated. Regardless, it circulated all the way through 1869 with a whopping 16 different varieties.

However, the overall design remained consistent throughout the years. Both sides are bordered by raised dots, and the obverse reads “Ichibu” (One Bu), with Kiri crests above and below. These crests represent the flower of the Paulownia tree, the symbol of the Office of the Prime Minister of Japan. The reverse features the signature of Mitsutsugu.

Over the years, they became smaller and were debased, from 85.7% to 57.4% gold. Even with such a long mintage, all varieties of these coins are rare today. Released in 1818, the Ni Bu Ban Kin (Two Bu Size Gold) was intended to make commerce easier. Most of the Koban coins in circulation by that point were broken, and this thicker, stronger rectangular coin was meant to replace them. Damaged Koban coins could be converted for free, provided they weren’t missing too much of their gold content.

However, people were not satisfied. The Ni Bu Ban Kin consisted of lower quality gold and was generally seen as a less reliable coin, so they didn’t see wide circulation. They started with 56.3% gold but were debased to only 22.3% by 1868.

In design, they are almost to the Ichibu Ban Kin. They are larger, of course, and have the denomination “Ni Bu” inscribed on the obverse, but all other elements are the same.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury 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 trading

39 inches long in saya total. Blade length tsuba to tip, 27.25 inches.  read more

Code: 24373

A Good & Rare Antique, Malaysian, Kampilan Sword. A Sword Very Rarely Seen in Europe. The Kapampangan Name of the Kampilan was "Talibong" and The Hilt on the Talibong Represented the Dragon Naga,

A rare antique tribal sword, with a somewhat crude carved hilt, but superbly effective in the terrain and jungles of the Philippines.

The standard kampilan is a type of single-edged long sword, used in the Philippine islands of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. This unusual variant has a long 33.5 inch double edged blade more reminiscent of a European broadsword, more similar to the sword of Datu Lapu-Lapu, legendary warrior Philippine king of the Mactan. Very likely a good early German trade blade.

The kampilan has a distinct profile, with the tapered blade being much broader and thinner at the point than at its base, sometimes with a protruding spikelet along the flat side of the tip and a bifurcated hilt which is believed to represent a mythical creature's open mouth.

The Maguindanao and the Maranao of mainland Mindanao preferred this weapon as opposed to the Tausug of Sulu who favoured the barung. The Kapampangan name of the Kampilan was "Talibong" and the hilt on the Talibong represented the dragon Naga, however the creature represented varies between different ethnic groups. Its use by the Illocanos have also been seen in various ancient records.

A notable wielder of the kampilan was Datu Lapu-Lapu (the king of Mactan) and his warriors, who defeated the Spaniards and killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.

The mention of the kampilan in ancient Filipino epics originating from other non-Muslim areas such as the Hiligaynon Hinilawod and the Ilocano Biag ni Lam-Ang is possible evidence for the sword's widespread usage throughout the archipelago during the ancient times. Today, the kampilan is portrayed in Filipino art and ancient tradition. The hilt is quite long in order to counterbalance the weight and length of the blade and is made of hardwood. As with the blade, the design of the hilt's profile is relatively consistent from blade to blade, combining to make the kampilan an effective combat weapon.

The complete tang of the kampilan disappears into a crossguard, which is often decoratively carved in an okir (geometric or flowing) pattern.The guard prevents the enemy's weapon from sliding all the way down the blade onto bearer's hand and also prevents the bearer's hand from sliding onto the blade while thrusting.

The most distinctive design element of the hilt is the Pommel, which is shaped to represent a creature's wide open mouth. The represented creature varies from sword to sword depending on the culture. Sometimes it is a real animal such as a monitor lizard or a crocodile, but more often the animal depicted is mythical, with the naga and the bakonawa being popular designs. Some kampilan also have animal or human hair tassels attached to the hilt as a form of decoration.

No scabbard  read more

Code: 16828

A Wonderful, Around 1200 Year Old Original Viking Bronze Ring, Four Claw Bezel Setting With Its Original Amber Glass Cabochon Gem. Punched Dot Decor Around The Ovoid Surround Of The Claw Setting

Like many of our selection of antiquities, many originally arrived in England as souvenirs of a Grand Tour, from around 200 years ago. Two such pieces were Viking rings, around 1200 years old, recovered from Normandy, Northern France. Likely from the Viking sieges of Paris.

Although feminine in its appearance men wore such rings as did female Viking warriors.

While the majority of Viking warriors were men, some women actively participated in combat as shieldmaidens, and their presence is attested in historical texts and archaeological findings.

A notable example is the Birka female Viking warrior, whose grave was found to contain weapons like a sword, ax, spear, and shields. DNA analysis confirmed the individual was female, challenging earlier assumptions that the grave belonged to a male warrior.

Viking sagas and historical accounts mention shield-maidens, women who fought alongside men. These stories often depict them as skilled warriors, sometimes even legendary figures. Valkyries: In Norse mythology, Valkyries were female figures who chose which warriors would die in battle and be taken to Valhalla.
The evidence suggests that while Viking women warriors were not the norm, their presence in battles and as figures in legends and sagas is undeniable. The discovery of the Birka female warrior { a Viking warrior, whose grave was found to contain weapons like a sword, ax, spear, and shields. DNA analysis confirmed the individual was female, challenging earlier assumptions that the grave belonged to a male warrior.} and other archaeological finds, along with historical accounts, have contributed to a more nuanced understanding of the role of women in Viking society and warfare.

Saxo Grammaticus reported that shield-maidens fought on the side of the Danes at the Battle of Brávellir in the year 750:
"Now out of the town of Sle, under the captains Hetha (Heid) and Wisna, with Hakon Cut-cheek came Tummi the Sailmaker. On these captains, who had the bodies of women, nature bestowed the souls of men. Webiorg was also inspired with the same spirit, and was attended by Bo (Bui) Bramason and Brat the Jute, thirsting for war."

There were two Norse sieges of Paris. The first was in 845; and though a fairly minor affair in terms of battle, it had great symbolic significance. The second was roughly two generations later, in 885-886; was much larger (and deadlier); and had greater direct ramifications. Before the first siege, Viking raids were a new and growing problem for the peoples of Western Europe; but hitherto raids had been made by relatively small war bands bent on plunder. The Scandinavian adventurers might sack monasteries or villages, but would usually shun larger, better defended targets (Churchill, 1956). However, success was making the Norsemen bolder.

Aware of this growing threat, the aging emperor, Charlemagne, built a series of maritime defenses to protect his coasts and rivers from these new dragon ships. For the first few decades, the defenses worked; but the Vikings were growing in number, ability, and ambition and a new breed of leaders was coming to the fore. One of these leaders was a man the Frankish chroniclers call Reginheri; but who has since been widely equated with the semi-legendary figure Ragnar Lothbrok (Dzhak, 2016). Under Ragnar, Vikings were ready to step foot on the world stage. They were ready to capture the jewel of Western Europe, the city of Paris.

So, in Spring of 845, 120 dragon ships carrying about 5000 Scandinavian warriors, broke through the late emperor’s defenses and surrounded the walled city of Paris (Dzhak, 2016). In the ninth century, Paris was already more than a thousand years old. It was wealthy from its position as a trading center, and was the seat of one of Charlemagne’s three competing heirs, Charles the Bald. At this time, the heart of the city was confined to the islands in the center of the Seine, the Île de la Cité where the cathedral of Notre Dame stands today. This position made Paris eminently defensible in the eyes of the Frankish elite that ruled there; but it made it easily surrounded by the ship-born Vikings.

Richard Lassels, an expatriate Roman Catholic priest, first used the phrase “Grand Tour” in his 1670 book Voyage to Italy, published posthumously in Paris in 1670. In its introduction, Lassels listed four areas in which travel furnished "an accomplished, consummate traveler" with opportunities to experience first hand the intellectual, the social, the ethical, and the political life of the Continent.

The English gentry of the 17th century believed that what a person knew came from the physical stimuli to which he or she has been exposed. Thus, being on-site and seeing famous works of art and history was an all important part of the Grand Tour. So most Grand Tourists spent the majority of their time visiting museums and historic sites.

Once young men began embarking on these journeys, additional guidebooks and tour guides began to appear to meet the needs of the 20-something male and female travelers and their tutors traveling a standard European itinerary. They carried letters of reference and introduction with them as they departed from southern England, enabling them to access money and invitations along the way.

With nearly unlimited funds, aristocratic connections and months or years to roam, these wealthy young tourists commissioned paintings, perfected their language skills and mingled with the upper crust of the Continent.

The wealthy believed the primary value of the Grand Tour lay in the exposure both to classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent. In addition, it provided the only opportunity to view specific works of art, and possibly the only chance to hear certain music. A Grand Tour could last from several months to several years. The youthful Grand Tourists usually traveled in the company of a Cicerone, a knowledgeable guide or tutor.

The ‘Grand Tour’ era of classical acquisitions from history existed up to around the 1850’s, and extended around the whole of Europe, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and the Holy Land.
1 inch, maximum ext. size, UK ring size, 0 1/2

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury 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 trading  read more

Code: 25803

A Most Attractive, Serpent, Bronze Age Power Bracelet, Armilla, & Arm Ring. A Fabulous 1000 B.C. Arm Adornment, With Most Beautiful Natural Aged Patination Colour of Rich Emerald Green, In Superb Condition With Substantial Heft & Gravitas

Ancient Bronze Age, in D section form, around 3000 years old.

Armillae , bracelets worn by the Ancient Romans, in both the early republic era and the later imperial age, from Augustus, the 1st Emperor, thereafter. They were always a sign of status and power, alongside the status ring, and often, when the shape of a serpent, they were to represent renewal and immortality.

The serpent was associated with the goddess Salus protector of health and well-being, making these bracelets highly sought after in ancient civilizations. In the pre-Roman era they often had a connection to Cernunnos, the ram horned serpent. A Celtic pagan deity, sometimes depicted with horns, and, as a serpent, Cernunnos represents the earth, fertility, and the cycles of nature.

In recovered ancient art and statuary one can see great warriors and nobles adorned with such serpent based arm rings, especially in Ancient Egypt representing the Sacred Serpent Goddess Wadjet

Snake jewelry was not limited to Egypt in the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, and, in fact, was not a traditional Egyptian sort of jewelry adornment before the Ptolemaic Period although it was very popular as an art form. Bracelets with animals, including snakes, appeared in Western Asia from about the eighth century BC, and spread to Greece in the fifth century BC, and came to Egypt mainly with the Ptolemaic Dynasty. In Greek culture there were certainly healing associations with snakes, but there may have been other associations, too.

Pictures in the gallery are of Ancient Egyptian wall art from tombs, depicting figures adorned with Wadget snake Goddess bracelets, arm rings, and crowns. Detail, from the second gilded shrine of King Tutankhamen, 13th century BCE

(Left) detail paintings of “The Roses of Heliogabalus,” Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1888 | (Right) and “Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci,” Piero di Cosima, 1480

Gold Snake Rings, Roman Period, 1st century AD, the Metropolitan Museum of Art

2.6 inches across, just under 3 ounces in weight, maximum thickness 0.4 inch  read more

Code: 25804

Ancient Roman Gladiator's Aes Corinthiacum Bronze Ring, Of A Colosseum Barbary Lion Late Old Republic Era To Early Empire Period. Over 2000 Years Old. Made & Used From the Reigns of Julius Caeser to Emperor Trajan

Over 2000 years old. Unusually it is a good wearable size. UK size R

*Corinthian bronze, also named Corinthian brass or aes Corinthiacum, was a metal alloy in classical antiquity. It is thought to be an alloy of copper with gold or silver (or both), although it has also been contended that it was simply a very high grade of bronze, or a kind of bronze that was manufactured in Corinth.

The wearing of the ring was the prerogative alone of Roman citizens or those of high rank and esteem, that some gladiators always aspired to but rarely achieved due to their short life span within their violent craft. However some did achieve such great success and were rewarded with riches, freedom and the right to wear the traditional Roman bronze status ring. Gladiators rings would be intaglio engraved depicting the exotic and fearsome beasts they fought, such as Lions, Tigers, Bears, Rhinocerous or even Sharks in giant water tanks complete with ships, or, armoured gladiators in combat. Could one imagine simply the logistics of transporting live sharks from the sea into the middle of Rome, it is simply astounding.

Julius Caesar (though he was never officially an emperor, he held the title of dictator perpetuo and is often considered the precursor to the imperial system)
The Julian Dynasty
Augustus (also known as Octavian, he was the first official emperor, reigning from 27 BC to AD 14)
Tiberius (reigned from AD 14 to 37)
Caligula (reigned from AD 37 to 41)
Claudius (reigned from AD 41 to 54)
Nero (reigned from AD 54 to 68)
The year of the 4 emperors, preceded by reign dates.
June 68 - Jan 69: Galba
Jan 69 - Apr 69: Otho
Apr 69 - Dec 69: Vitellius

The Flavian Dynasty
69 - 79: Vespasian
79 - 81: Titus
81 - 96: Domitian

The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty
96 - 98: Nerva
98 - 117 a.d.: Trajan

The Gladiators from Caeser to Trajan
In 65 BC, newly elected curule aedile Julius Caesar held games that he justified as munus to his father, who had been dead for 20 years. Despite an already enormous personal debt, he used 320 gladiator pairs in silvered armour. He had more available in Capua but the senate, mindful of the recent Spartacus revolt and fearful of Caesar's burgeoning private armies and rising popularity, imposed a limit of 320 pairs as the maximum number of gladiators any citizen could keep in Rome. Caesar's showmanship was unprecedented in scale and expense; he had staged a munus as memorial rather than funeral rite, eroding any practical or meaningful distinction between munus and ludi.

Gladiatorial games, usually linked with beast shows, spread throughout the republic and beyond. Anti-corruption laws of 65 and 63 BC attempted but failed to curb the political usefulness of the games to their sponsors. Following Caesar's assassination and the Roman Civil War, Augustus assumed imperial authority over the games, including munera, and formalised their provision as a civic and religious duty. His revision of sumptuary law capped private and public expenditure on munera, claiming to save the Roman elite from the bankruptcies they would otherwise suffer, and restricting gladiator munera to the festivals of Saturnalia and Quinquatria. Henceforth, an imperial praetor's official munus was allowed a maximum of 120 gladiators at a ceiling cost of 25,000 denarii; an imperial ludi might cost no less than 180,000 denarii. Throughout the empire, the greatest and most celebrated games would now be identified with the state-sponsored imperial cult, which furthered public recognition, respect and approval for the emperor's divine numen, his laws, and his agents. Between 108 and 109 AD, Trajan celebrated his Dacian victories using a reported 10,000 gladiators and 11,000 animals over 123 days.

*Pliny the Elder distinguished it into three kinds, depending on the metal that is added to the copper base: in the first, gold is added (luteum); in the second, silver (candidum); in the third, gold, silver, and copper are equally blended. Plutarch and Cicero both comment that Corinthian bronze, unlike many other copper alloys, is resistant to tarnishing, and the ring certainly appears to have resisted tarnishing at the bottom two thirds of the intaglio seal engraving.  read more

Code: 25491