THE SWORD PARTLY 18TH CENTURY

Details

A Dress Sword, Sword Belt And Carrier, And Sash
The sword partly 18th Century
The first with narrow straight tapering double-edged blade etched on each side of the forte with strapwork and a trophy of arms enclosing the inscription 'Weil Carl Und Elisabeth Leben So Können Wir In Freuden Schweben Herr Hoffrath Wollet Diesen Degen Zu Ehren Der Fabric Anlegen', gilt-brass qullion-block cast and chased with a grotesque mask in relief at the centre of each side, short straight quillons with large button-shaped terminals each decorated with foliage in relief, and later jasper grip (incomplete) of octagonal section swelling at the centre (pommel missing), in velvet-covered wooden scabbard; the second comprising leather-backed embroidered belt decorated in relief with flower-heads, leather-backed woven carrier, and cast gilt-brass buckle; the last of blue satin, with a yellow satin shield at each end embroidered with the emblem of the Golden Lion, and bullion tassels at each end (damaged)
30in. (76.2cm.) blade (3)

Provenance

Captain J.O. Fairlie of Coodham
Thence by descent to the vendor

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Captain Fairlie (1809-1870) took part in the Eglinton Tournament of 28-30 August 1839 at Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire, and as Knight of the Golden Lion obtained the highest score on the last (and only fine) day. His armour was sold in these Rooms on 15 July 1998, lot 65. The present sword, belt, and sash are believed to have been worn by him at the ball which was held on the last night of the tournament

A portrait of Captain Fairlie wearing the costume he wore to the ball was sold in these Rooms on 11 November 1999, lot 83. Although he is not portrayed wearing this sword, it would appear that this sword belt and sash both feature in the portrait

The Carl and Elisabeth in the inscription on the blade probably refer to the Emperor Charles VI (reigned 1711-40) and his wife Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (d. 1750)

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