|
 44.
COURT SWORD German, 1750
Hilt steel chiseled in
low relief as in No. 40,
but the almost matte gold
background does not show
pronounced stipple; baroque
decoration entirely of
scrolls and flowers. Pas
d'âne functions imperfectly.
Grip ovoid, of metal en
suite, with pronounced
central bulge; bits of
floral ornament inlaid
in copper and brass.
Blade two-edged; forward
half ground, six-sided,
rear half eight-sided;
panel at base completely
gilded, etched with strapwork
and medallions containing
"soleil" and cross respectively
against hatched background;
above this, forte etched
with medallions of crown,
star, trophy, men in classical
costume; at end of etched
portion appears mark (or
ornament).
26.145.297
L. 90 (75)
Wt. 397.5
Plate XXXIV Reubell Benefaction
|
 |
|
 45.
COURT SWORD Russian, 1760
The present sword, German
in style, is of Tula workmanship.
Hilt of bronzed steel
with slightly raised damascene
of three colors of gold
and silver in floral sprays,
architectural fragments,
and rococo scrolls. Grip
en suite with marked central
bulge of metal. Pommel
slightly flattened.
Blade two-edged, convex
ground; forte etched in
strapwork in medallions
(page
27) against hatched
and gilded background.
On each side large medallion
with figure seated on
cask offering cup to classical
warrior, and inscription:
LA PRUDENCE SE FAIT VOIR
DANS LE VIN. Small medallions
on each side with star
and cross alessée respectively,
and at end of etching
an orb.
26.145.340 L.
91 (76) Wt.
454
Plate XXXV Reubell Benefaction
|
|
|
 46.
COURT SWORD Russian, Later
than 1760
Hilt blued steel, damascened
in gold, flat and polished,
in Oriental fashion. Design
includes castles (each
with three domed towers),
birds, and flowering plants.
Edges of guard, pas d'âne,
and knuckle guard undulating.
Quillon does not turn
to right. Grip of four
strands of twisted silvered
brass wire of which two
are very heavy.
Blade two-edged with high
central rib on right side,
carved undulating. Left
side flat with five grooves
paralleling edges and
extending nearly entire
length.
Scabbard of black leather;
ferrule with belt hook
and chape of blued steel
damascened en suite.
26.145.338
L. 102.5 (85) Wt.
635
Plate XXXVI Reubell Benefaction
|
|
|
  47.
COURT SWORD Italian (French?),
1760
This sword is believed
to be the only specimen
of its type extant.
Hilt of gilded metal combined
with tortoise-shell. Guard
entirely of tortoise-shell,
ornamented with arabesques
whose lines are built
up of numberless inset
studs of delicate gold
wire. Ricasso of gilded
metal engraved with scrolls
against hatched background,
enclosing inlaid panel
of tortoise-shell delicately
inlaid with gold in trophies
and leaves. Pas d'âne
plain gilded metal in
rococo form, non-functional.
Quillon and knuckle guard
gilded metal with inlaid
tortoise-shell panels,
the metal engraved at
edges with leaf motifs.
Grip solid tortoise-shell
(in two parts) with appliqué
grapes and vine. Pommel
globose, also of tortoise-shell
in two parts, ornamented
with floral scrolls and
metal fittings.
Blade two-edged, with ridge
flattened, etched and
gilded. In its decoration
appear arabesques and
floral scrolls against
background of wavy lines.
26.145.339 L.
85.5 (69.5) Wt.
332
Plate XXXVII Reubell Benefaction
|
|
|
(page
28)
  48.
COURT SWORD German (Swedish
?), 1775
Similar to No.44, except
that grip bears additional
decoration - left, classical
warrior, right, trophy
of arms - with differing
details in construction.
Guard heart-shaped, the
point up-curved and bifurcating
to straddle anterior quillon.
Non-functional pas
d'âne.
Blade single-edged; flat
back at forte, remainder
of blade bluntly back-edged;
panel at base etched and
gilded in lines with floral
scrollwork and medallion
of crown pierced with
sword; behind this two
quill pens; around all
motto: EIN KRON IST DER
TUGENT LON (A crown is
the reward of virtue).
26.145.298 L.
93.5 (78)
Wt. 564
Plate XXXVIII Reubell Benefaction
|
|
|
 49.
COURT SWORD North German
(Scandinavian?), 1780
Suggests No. 48.
Hilt of gilded metal carved
in low relief with rococo
motifs of leaves and shells.
Pas d'âne non-functional.
Two quillons, the forward
turning up towards pommel,
the rear drooping towards
point and, as usual, turning
to right. Broad knuckle
guard. Grip of metal en
suite with other parts.
Blade colechimarde, three-edged;
traces of etching with
inscription on forte.
26.145.355
L. 102 (85.5)
Wt. 642
Plate XXXIX Reubell Benefaction
|
| |
|
|
