LONDON.- An impressive selection of weapons and armour used to defend Europe’s Ruling Elite will be offered in
Thomas Del Mar Ltd’s auction of Antique Arms, Armour and Militaria at 25 Blythe Road, London W14 on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. The forthcoming sale comprises 499 lots and will begin at midday. Viewing will take place on the preceding Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and online bidding is available via the-saleroom.com.
A distinctive and rare late 16th/ late 17th Century North Italian Half Armour for use by the Swiss Papal Guard is estimated at £4,000-6,000, while a rare English partisan (spear) for the guard of King William III (1650, 1689-1702) and Queen Mary II (1662, 1689-1694), circa 1689-94 etched on each side with the Royal cypher is estimated at £1,500-1,800, and another partisan for the Guard of Queen Victoria (1819, 1837-1901) painted with the Royal arms on each face in blue and gold is expected to fetch £1,200-1,800. Three Halberds (an axe-like weapon) for the Guard of Johann George, Duke of Saxony (1585, Elector 1611-1656), dated 1604 and 1609 respectively are each estimated at £4,000-6,000 and a parade Glaive (poled weapon) for the Guard of Maria Theresa as Dowager Empress of Austria (1717, 1740-80), circa 1765-80 etched with the crowned Imperial eagle is estimated at £600-800.
Other pieces with an Imperial Austrian Connection is an extremely rare Gothic Ahlspiess (spear) dating from the second half of the 15th Century, stamped twice on each face at the base with the Vienna City Arsenal mark is estimated at £5,000-7,000 and a fine and historically important French silver-mounted hunting sword commemorating the peace of Hubertusburg, decorated with portraits of Marie Therese, Empress of Austria and Frederick, King of Prussia, dated 1763 is estimated at £1,200-1,800.
The Armour section has several composite examples from the 16th/17th century from the Collection of a European Prince. A South German light field Armour, circa 1600-10 is expected to fetch £3,000-4,500, while another example from South Germany carries an estimate of £4,000-6,000 and a North German example with embossed decoration in the ‘Black and White’ fashion is estimated at £5,000-7,000.
Elsewhere a composite South German heavy field armour, circa 1540, with a North Italian close helmet, circa 1570 is estimated at £14,000-18,000 as is a rare south German close helmet, circa 1510-15 and a fine and important early 16th century Italian breastplate by Giovanni Angelo Missaglia, the renowned armourer of Milan carries an estimate of £3,000-4,000.
Interesting Collections and groups that will be offered include Property from the Estate of Bruce George (1915-2016), who was responsible for the redesign the Royal Military Chapel (the Guards Chapel) in Birdcage Walk, following its destruction by a V1 bomb during a service in June 1944. Among the items include a late 18th/ 19th century Scottish Officer’s broadsword which is estimated at £400-600.
A large group of miniature artillery will be offered including a finely constructed French model cannon, complete with its ammunition wagon, dated 1826, which is estimated at £12,000-18,000.
Other notable objects – with links to historic battles - include a Fine late 18th century Naval Dirk, almost certainly for a member of the Egyptian Club is estimated at £3,000-4,000. Two days after the battle of the Nile, on the night of 3rd August 1798, the Captains of the fleet met on board the Orion, and inaugurated the 'Egyptian Club' and a historic Indian standard finial with inscriptions to the Commander of the Battle of Patalin, Salar Agha Hardar, dated Hijra 1200 (?), circa 1785-6 carries an estimate of £5,000-7,000.
A fine Japanese helmet dating from the mid 17th century made with a very well formed iron skull of sixty-two plates profusely studded over its outer surface carries an estimate of £15,000-20,000.
