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 42.
HUNTING SWORD French,
1807-1813
One of the most important
specimens of its type
(D) and period; it was
prepared for Jerome Bonaparte
(1784-1860), King of Westphalia.
Hilt of gilded bronze,
carved with great skill
in Empire motifs. Quillons
straight, terminating
as hounds' heads. Enormously
developed ricasso, carved,
left, with head of Diana,
falcons in hunting horns,
peltry tied to spear;
right, with monogram C.B.
Grip mother-of-pearl,
fluted; sides as bronze
strips in laurel and bead.
Pommel expanded, bears
medallions of stag and
goat, Greek honeysuckle,
oak wreaths, floral medallions,
hunting horns, and quiver.
Blade double-edged; forte
ovoid in section; at base
etched, blued, and gilded,
bearing inscription (largely
concealed within lips
of ricasso): on one side,
COULAUX FRČRES; on reverse,
MANUFACTURE NATIONALE
DE KLINGENTHAL.
Scabbard tan calfskin over
wood; button suspension;
fittings en suite;
ferrule with hunting horn,
spear, gun, and axe; also
realistic figure of wolf
with leg caught in trap;
on button Napoleonic bee
framed by laurel wreath.
On back, in shield, worn
inscription: PIRENIEL
(?) A PARIS C. . . DE
SA MAJté LE ROY DE WESTPHALIE;
crossed oak leaves below.
Scabbard mountings decorated
en suite.
L.2294  L.
64.5 (51) Wt.
542
Note: Childeric's tomb,
discovered at Tournay
in 1653, contained, among
other things, a number
of gold bees which suggested
to Napoleon I the adoption
of the bee as an imperial
emblem.
Provenance: Obtained by
Frederick Gallatin (father
of the present lender)
at the sale of the collection
of the Villa Borghese,
Rome.
Plate CI Lent by Albert
Gallatin, 1923
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 43.
BELT FOR HUNTING SWORD
North German, Beginning
of XVIII Century
Of olive-green morocco
to which is sewed a facing
of dark brown morocco
elaborately embroidered
in green silk showing
scrolls, rosettes, and
hand scythe. Two silver
buckles with embossed
borders of rococo design
and cartouche with matted
background on each of
the four sides; in each
of three of these cartouches
appears one of the following
initials, F I P (Frederick
I of Prussia, 1657-1713),
and in the lowest cartouche
appears a scythe; near
lower border of (page 84)
each buckle is stamped
the hail mark (see also
No. 3); in the cartouches
that bear the Roman numeral
I and the scythe are stamped
crescentic marks.
14.25.1239
Riggs Benefaction
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 44.
BELT FOR HUNTING SWORD
German, XVIII Century
Of brown leather, covered
with green velvet; from
right side is suspended
a V-shaped band carrying
the loop through which
passed a hunting sword.
Large brass "buckle" or
clasp whose gilded border,
ornamented with foliation,
encloses an elliptical
mother-of-pearl plaque
engraved with trees, birds,
covered wagon, stag, hunter
and dog.
14.25.1234
Riggs Benefaction
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 46.
SWORD BELT German or Polish,
XVIII Century
Of green morocco; outer
face covered with a broad
band ornamented with silver
galoon, the ridged surface
giving the effect of corduroy.
From left side of waist-belt
are suspended two (page 86)
broad bands, which carry
the loop through which
passed the sword. Clasp
buckle of silver, rectangular
and convex, engraved on
a stippled background
with scrolls and foliation
surrounding central medallion
with urn holding spray
of flowers. On hook of
buckle two hail marks;
clasp bifurcated, its
ends perforated with twin
holes by means of which
it was sewed to the belt;
clasp bears a hail mark
repeated, between which
as well as on border is
engraved a zigzag ornament.
14.25.1237
Riggs Benefaction 
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