Two carved ivory daggers and sheaths

GERMAN SCHOOL, CIRCA 1865

Details

Two carved ivory daggers and sheaths
German School, Circa 1865
Each with steel blade, the larger with double-headed eagle surmount, above a velvet grip and hilt carved to each end with a winged female bust, centred to the front with a portrait medallion and to the back with the name STEPH/BATORI, the sheath with velvet back, the front headed by a lion mask supporting military trophies, above a royal Coat of Arms supported by two soldiers, above a serpent and winged female figure, terminating with a grotesque beast; the other with foliate-carved hilt centred by the same Coat of Arms, the tapering foliate-carved sheath with four portrait medallions titled SIGISM.PRIM., SIGISM.AUG., SIGISMUND. III. and STEPH. BAT., with foliate-carved terminal
20 in. and 18 in. (50.8 cm. and 45.8 cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

The present two carved dagger sheaths commemorate four kings of Poland: Sigismund I (d.1548) was elected grand-duke of Lithuania in 1505 and King of Poland the following year. He was succeeded by his son, Sigismund II "Augustus" who died without heir in 1572, causing 50,000 nobility and gentry to choose a new king in Henry of Valois. The latter, however, returned to France on the death of his brother the following year, necessitating another plebiscite, the prevailing candidate from which was Stephen Bathory (or Batori), a Hungarian nobleman and Prince of Transylvania since 1571. Again, with no heir at the death of Bathori, elections took place, on this occasion Sigismund III (d. 1632), son of the King of Sweden and nephew of Bathory's widow, being chosen. The arms shown on each sheath are those of the Kings of Lithuania.

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