271 |
AN HISTORIC FLAG POLE, BY TRADITION FROM THE RESIDENCE OF GENERAL GORDON AT KHARTOUM
with wrought-iron head formed with a pair of basal reinforces, very long bamboo pole (now in two pieces), bound with three sections of rattan, and the base applied with the provenance label
256.5cm; 101in and 223cm; 87 7/8in
(2)
Provenance
The Wellcome Foundation
The label reads:
'General Gordon's flag pennant used by him at Khartoum - Presented by the General to Major Fletcher's family 1885'
Major General Charles George Gordon (1833-1885), 'Chinese Gordon' or 'Gordon of Khartoum' to generations of traditionally educated British schoolboys, was one of those many Victorian military heroes for whom the phrase 'muscular Christianity' might have been invented. Tirelessly active and unswervingly devout, he combined a soldier's contempt for politicians with a knack for personal publicity that would have destroyed the careers of less lucky or less charismatic warriors. Gordon's comparatively short and largely charmed life was packed with incident and experience of battle, from service with the British Army in the Crimea during 1855-56 and in China in 1860 to detached service in China 1863-64 - in command of the 'Ever Victorious Army' - and with the forces of the Khedive of Egypt in the Sudan on two occasions in the 1870s and '80s. It is with the Sudan that Gordon will always be most popularly associated and with his service there that this flagpole is linked.
Gordon first served in the Sudan as governor of the southern province of Equatoria, 1873-77, and then as governor-general of the Sudan, 1877-79. Throughout this period, his headquarters were in the city of Khartoum, although he was frequently on the move throughout his territory, suppressing the slave trade and containing revolts against Egyptian rule. Gordon returned to Britain in 1879 and spent time in India, China, Mauritius, South Africa and Palestine before being sent back to the Sudan by the British government in 1884 in order to command Egyptian forces there that were under attack by Sudanese rebels led by the Mahdi. Gordon arrived in Khartoum on 18th February 1884 but the city was encircled by the Mahdi's forces on 18th March and remained besieged until its fall on 26th January 1885, when Gordon was killed - never having left the city during its siege. Khartoum remained in Mahdist hands until its capture by British forces commanded by Major General Sir Herbert Kitchener on 2nd September 1898.
It is most probable that this flagpole is associated with the first of Gordon's two periods in Khartoum: it may have been brought home with him in 1879. He was famously uninterested in retaining souvenirs - on one occasion retrieving some captured Chinese flags from his sister, Augusta, in order to give them to a 'Ragged School' of which he was patron - and so the gift of this flagpole to the family of, presumably, a brother officer would have been entirely in character. The attachment of the label, with its date of 1885, to the flagpole may reflect not only the historic significance that Gordon attained by his death in that year but also a degree of confusion in descendants of its original recipients as regards the period when it was used by him in Khartoum.
Estimate: 1000-1500 |
Nil |
|
|
272 |
A BRUNSWICK STATE TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD OF THE GUARD OF JULIUS DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND LÜNEBURG IN WOLFENBÜTTEL (1528-89), NO. 146, DATED 1574
with straight double-edged blade of flattened diamond-section, rectangular ricasso formed with a pair of slender up-turned lugs in the middle, one stamped with a wheel mark, boldly incised with the crowned Ducal monogram, the number and the date within a linear frame on each side, iron hilt comprising a pair of ribbon-like quillons each interrupted by a fish-shaped moulding and engraved with scrolling foliage, curled forward and back at the respective down-curved terminals, a pair of small flat engraved serpentine lugs at the base, engraved inner and outer ring-guards each interrupted with three baluster mouldings and filled with a saltire, the former with thumb-ring, thick pierced crutch-shaped pommel engraved with a central panel of trellis, scrolling foliage and a pair of lion masks on each side, and later leather-covered wooden grip
131cm; 51 1/2in blade
Estimate: 10000-15000 |
Nil |
|
19000 |
273 |
A BRUNSWICK STATE TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD OF THE GUARD OF JULIUS DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND LÜNEBURG IN WOLFENBÜTTEL (1528-89), NO. 172, DATED 1574
with straight double-edged blade of flattened diamond-section, rectangular ricasso formed with a pair of slender up-turned lugs in the middle, one stamped with a wheel mark, boldly incised with the crowned Ducal monogram, the number and the date within a linear frame on each side, iron hilt comprising a pair of ribbon-like quillons each interrupted by a fish-shaped moulding and engraved with scrolling foliage, curled forward and back at the respective down-curved terminals, a pair of small flat engraved serpentine lugs at the base, engraved inner and outer ring-guards each interrupted with three baluster mouldings and filled with a saltire, the former with thumb-ring, thick pierced crutch-shaped pommel, and later leather-covered wooden grip
131cm; 51 1/2in blade
Estimate: 10000-15000 |
Nil |
|
18000 |
274 |
A SWORD IN 11TH/12TH CENTURY STYLE, 19TH CENTURY
cast in one piece, with tapering blade formed with a long fuller on each side, straight cross-piece of near rectangular section, strongly formed trilobite pommel, and in stable 'aged and excavated' condition throughout
107.4cm; 42 1/4in blade
The Brunswick inventory of 1895 records this as a sword from the time of Henry the Lion (1129-1195).
Estimate: 400-600 |
Nil |
|
450 |
275 |
A GERMAN TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
with double-edged blade of flattened-hexagonal section swelling towards the tip and formed with a short serrated edge, rectangular ricasso engraved with wavy lines and punched dots, iron hilt comprising a pair of straight flat quillons swelling towards the terminals, formed with a pair of lugs above and beneath and incised with pairs of lines, inner and outer ring-guards each swelling towards the centre, incised with a pair of lines and filled with a plate, later globular pommel and later turned wooden grip
113cm; 44 1/2in blade
Estimate: 2000-3000 |
Nil |
|
3200 |
276 |
A GERMAN TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
with double-edged blade of flattened-hexagonal section, long rectangular ricasso boldly incised with a pair of lines on each side and formed with a pair of crescentic lugs, iron hilt comprising slightly down-curved quillons formed with a pair of basal lugs and two further lugs behind the terminals, inner and outer ring-guards each swelling towards the centre, incised with a pairs of lines and a saltire, later globular pommel and turned wooden grip
125cm; 49 1/4in blade
Estimate: 2000-3000 |
Nil |
|
4400 |
277 |
A RARE GERMAN MILITARY SPEAR, LATE 15TH CENTURY
with medially-ridged leaf-shaped head, long tapering socket drawn-out in the middle to form a pair of long triangular flukes each pierced with three groups of holes, struck with a mark on each side, in a shield, two stars above a horizontal line and a further star beneath, on an early wooden haft bound with a trellis pattern of leather
38.7cm; 15 1/4in head
Literature
Dr J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, no. 282
Estimate: 800-1000 |
Nil |
|
|
278 |
A GERMAN HALBERD, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY
with long tapering central spike of diamond-section, small crescentic axe-blade formed with three spikes top and bottom and pierced with pairs of holes, rear fluke formed of three shaped prongs (one incomplete) and stamped with a mark, and a pair of long straps, on an early wooden haft fitted with an additional pair of straps
78cm; 30 3/4in head
Another halberd from this group also from the Brunswick Ducal armoury was sold Sotheby's, Marienburg, 2005, lot 254.
Estimate: 500-700 |
Nil |
|
500 |
279 |
A GERMAN PEASANT FLAIL, 17TH/18TH CENTURY
with barrel-shaped wooden head fitted with a long central spike, numerous spikes around the outside (one missing), on its original wooden haft (the lower half replaced) with four long iron straps
87.5cm; 34 1/2in head
Provenance
Schloss Cumberland, Gmunden, inv. no. 411
Estimate: 500-700 |
Nil |
|
950 |
280 |
A PAIR OF CAROUSEL LANCES, 17TH CENTURY
each with robust steel spike, and fluted wooden shaft with recessed grip (losses)
(2)
332.6cm; 131in
Provenance
Schloss Cumberland, Gmunden, inv. nos 50 and 270
Exhibited
Arms, Armour, and Militaria, lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, 1952, no. 96 (one lance)
Estimate: 1000-1500 |
Nil |
|
1900 |
281 |
A MUSKET REST, MID-17TH CENTURY
with iron head of characteristic form, on its wooden haft
13.5cm; 5 1/4in
Estimate: 300-500 |
Nil |
|
750 |
282 |
A GERMAN OFFICER'S PARTISAN, LATE 17TH CENTURY
with broad central hollow-ground blade, formed with a pair of up-turned flat lugs at the base, decorated on each side with a pair of addorsed cannon, tapering moulded socket interrupted by three collars and a pair of long straps, on a wooden haft
38.8cm; 15 1/4in head
Provenance
Schloss Cumberland, Gmunden, inv. no. 255
Estimate: 400-600 |
Nil |
|
700 |
283 |
A GERMAN MILITARY SPEAR, LATE 18TH/19TH CENTURY
with leaf-shaped head of hollow-diamond section, tapering conical base with pronounced collars, and a pair of straps, on its original wooden haft
35.5cm; 14in
Provenance
Recorded in Villa Weinburg, circa 1890.
Estimate: 150-200 |
Nil |
|
260 |
284 |
A GERMAN PARTISAN, 18TH CENTURY
with three-stage blade, the lower portion formed with a medial ridge, the central portion with four and the uppermost with three fullers, a pair of shaped up-turned lugs, an additional pair of lower lugs, tapering socket, and a pair of straps of differing length, on a later wooden haft with iron shoe (light worm damage)
56.5cm; 22 1/4in head
Estimate: 400-600 |
Nil |
|
380 |
285 |
A GERMAN ETCHED AND GILT STATE PARTIZAN OF THE GUARD AUGUST WILHELM, DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND LÜNEBURG IN BLANKENBURG (1662-1731), NO.25, DATED 1718
with broad central blade of flattened-diamond section decorated on each face with a rampant horse beneath a crown, the base etched and gilt with a larger crown, and etched and gilt with foliage around the borders of the eight leaf-shaped flukes, one face etched and gilt with the quartered, mantled and titled Ducal Arms and the reverse etched and gilt with the mantled Ducal monogram `AW', incorporating the motto `Parta Tueri' on a scroll below, moulded tubular socket extending to a pair of long straps (areas of patination), one inscribed with the number, and on its original wooden haft (wormed), with moulded iron shoe
53.5cm; 21in head
Estimate: 3000-5000 |
Nil |
|
|
286 |
A RARE MILITARY PLUG BAYONET, EARLY 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY NORTH GERMAN
with tapering 46.5cm blade double-edged towards the point, straight iron cross-piece, turned wooden grip (one small crack), iron ferrule, and iron cap pommel
66cm; 26in
Estimate: 300-400 |
Nil |
|
800 |
287 |
A RARE MILITARY PLUG BAYONET, EARLY 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY NORTH GERMAN
with tapering 46.5cm blade double-edged towards the point and stamped 'Solingen' towards the forte, straight iron cross-piece, turned wooden grip, iron ferrule, and iron cap pommel
66cm; 26in
Estimate: 300-400 |
Nil |
|
600 |
288 |
AN ENGLISH MODEL 1803 INFANTRY OFFICER'S SPONTOON
with leaf-shaped blade, etched on each face with the Crowned Royal cypher 'GR' and with traces of gilding, moulded cross bar with globular terminals, short tapering socket, and a pair of long straps, on a wooden haft
34cm; 13 1/2in head
Literature
Dr J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, no. 139
Estimate: 700-900 |
Nil |
|
|
289 |
AN ENGLISH MODEL 1803 INFANTRY OFFICER'S SPONTOON
with leaf-shaped blade formed with a central fuller, etched on each face with the Crowned Royal cypher 'GR', moulded cross bar with globular terminals, short tapering socket, and a pair of long straps, on its original wooden haft with iron shoe
36.5cm; 14 3/8in head
Provenance
Recorded in Villa Weinburg, circa 1890.
Estimate: 700-900 |
Nil |
|
|
290 |
A NORTH GERMAN CLOSE HELMET FOR FIELD USE, CIRCA 1570
with one-piece skull rising to a high-roped comb and fitted at the nape with a later small tubular plume-holder, visor and bevor attached by common pivots (replaced, the visor with an early repair at the rear), each secured at the right side by a spring-catch, the visor pierced beneath its stepped, roped and centrally divided vision-slit with a series of circular breathes, and two associated gorget-plates front and rear, the lowest in each case decorated with a file-roped turn (areas of pitting and light rust)
40.7cm; 16in high
Estimate: 8000-10000 |
Nil |
|
8500 |
291 |
A NORTH GERMAN CLOSE HELMET FOR FIELD USE, CIRCA 1580, PROBABLY BRUNSWICK
with a skull formed in two pieces joined by a turn along the crest of a high medial comb and fitted at the nape with a small tubular plume-holder, visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by later common pivots, each secured at the right side by a spring-catch (that for the visor lacking its combined pull and lifting peg) the visor pierced beneath its centrally divided vision-slit with fourteen rhomboid ventilation-holes, the upper bevor pierced with sixteen vertical ventilation-slots, and two gorget-plates front and rear, the lowest in each case decorated with a recessed border, and fitted throughout with domed lining rivets (areas of pitting and rust)
43cm; 17in high
Estimate: 8000-10000 |
Nil |
|
7500 |
292 |
A COMPOSITE NORTH GERMAN CLOSE HELMET FOR FIELD USE, CIRCA 1600, POSSIBLY BRUNSWICK
with heavy one-piece skull rising to a low comb, pierced at the base for lining rivets and fitted at the nape with a plume-holder, visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots, each secured at the right side by a spring-catch (that for the visor lacking its combined pull and lifting peg), the visor pierced beneath its stepped, centrally divided vision-slit with eight circular ventilation-holes, and the bevor pierced with a series of similar holes and double-ended key hole slots, and two gorget front plates (the rear gorget plates missing, the skull with surface rust)
39.4cm; 15 1/2in high
Estimate: 4000-6000 |
Nil |
|
|
293 |
TWO NORTH GERMAN ETCHED VAMBRACES ALMOST FORMING A PAIR, BRUNSWICK, CIRCA 1560-65
of fully articulated construction, each formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon with longitudinal ridges at the outside of the arm, the former fitted with a turner of three lames, and a couter of three lames with a small flat oval wing, decorated at the point of the elbow with an embossed quatrefoil (one with an early patched repair), the inside of the elbow protected by twelve and seventeen lames respectively, each decorated at their main edges with file-roped turns accompanied by recessed borders enclosed to the inside by pairs of narrow grooves, and etched with bands and borders of scrolling foliage inhabited by human figures, herms, exotic birds, animals of chase and lions' masks (areas of rust and pitting, the etching obscured in areas
(3)
Several vambraces of this type, with small oval wings and lamination at the insides of the elbows, including those sold Sotheby's Marienburg (lots 285 and 305), were in the former Blankenburg collections (Bohlmann, Z.H.W.K., 1915, nos 8 & 9, figs 22 & 28; Tower Exhibition, 1952, cat. nos 12 & 33, pl. IV). Vambraces of similar construction can be recorded on two Brunswick armours in the Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer, Vienna, inv. nos A 691 and A1185, respectively made for Johann von Ranzau about 1559, and Archduke Karl II of Styria about 1565 (Gamber & Beaufort 1990, pp. 105 & 108, pls. 71-2).
Estimate: 1000-1500 |
Nil |
|
1000 |
294 |
A NORTH GERMAN VAMBRACE, BRUNSWICK, CIRCA 1560-65
for the left arm, of similar construction to the previous near pair, fitted with eleven lames at the inside of the elbow, with several later holes (some disarticulations, areas of rust, painted black overall)
Estimate: 400-600 |
Nil |
|
|
295 |
A NORTH GERMAN VAMBRACE FOR THE RIGHT ARM, BRUNSWICK, CIRCA 1580
formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon, the former fitted with a turner of two lames, the upper stamped with serial marks, winged bracelet couter of three lames, the principal borders with turned roped edges, and fitted with some brass rosette washers
Estimate: 400-600 |
Nil |
|
420 |
296 |
TWO NORTH GERMAN VAMBRACES, BRUNSWICK, CIRCA 1580
each formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon, the former fitted with a turner of two and three lames on the right and left respectively, winged bracelet couter of three lames, the principle borders with turned roped edges, the right fitted with some pewter rosette washers and the left with some of brass (mottled patina with some patches of rust)
(2)
Estimate: 700-900 |
Nil |
|
900 |
297 |
TWO GERMAN VAMBRACES, MID-16TH CENTURY
almost forming a pair, each formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon, the former fitted at its upper end with a turner of one (originally more) lame, and at its lower end with a couter of three lames of which the second is fitted with a separate ogival wing, and the principal borders with boldly roped turns accompanied in most cases by recessed borders
(2)
Estimate: 800-1200 |
Nil |
|
800 |
298 |
FIVE GERMAN PAULDRONS, LAST QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY
two in the black and white fashion, with five and six upward-lapping lames respectively, three formed with a low medial ridge and of five upward-lapping lames (one missing its uppermost lame), and the principal borders with file-roped turns in each case (disarticulations throughout, some later holes, areas of rust)
(5)
Estimate: 1200-1800 |
Nil |
|
1200 |
299 |
TWO NORTH GERMAN GAUNTLETS FOR THE RIGHT HAND, BRUNSWICK, CIRCA 1580
the first with flared and pointed cuff having two fixed inner plates, two wrist-plates, the second embossed for the ulna, and five shaped shaped knuckle-plates and six shaped finger-plates (thumb-defence missing), decorated with incised lines, and the cuff with turned and roped edge; the second with flared and pointed cuff (chipped along one side, inner plate missing), five metacarpal-plates, shaped knuckle-plate and four shaped finger-plates (thumb-defence missing), decorated with incised lines, and the cuff with turned roped edge, and serial mark of three circles
(2)
Estimate: 700-900 |
Nil |
|
|
300 |
A NORTH GERMAN GAUNTLET FOR THE RIGHT HAND AND FIVE FURTHER ELEMENTS, BRUNSWICK, CIRCA 1580
the first with flared and pointed cuff, hinged inner-plate (detached, thumb-defence missing), five metacarpal-plates, shaped knuckle-plate and three shaped finger-plates, decorated with a pair of grooves at the cuff, fitted with some brass rosette washers, and the cuff with turned and roped edge; together with the outer plates of two gauntlet cuffs, one retaining some characteristic Brunswick etched decoration; and three gauntlet cuffs, each with recessed border and turned and roped edge
(6)
Estimate: 700-900 |
Nil |
|
|
