Most Outstanding & Huge Shogunate Antique Bunkyu Period 幕藩体制 Samurai's Tachi, Horseman's Sword, In Superb Condition. Signed 伯耆国住吉. Hoki no Kuni ju Yoshiyuki . A 'Statement' Collector's Piece, Par Excellance

This sword has immense presence and stature, a magnificent centrepiece for any stylish decor. Shinshinto bladed tachi {slung mounted sword} from the late Edo bakuhan taisei 幕藩体制 period, signed Hoki no Kuni ju Yoshiyuki and dated 1857, tsuka with iron fuchi-kashira decorated with figures , mokko shaped iron tsuba chiselled with a dragonfly, in its rich brown ishime stone finish lacquer tachi mounted saya, beautifully bound with contrasting sageo of stunning gold and black. the tuska is black silk bound over samegawa {giant rayskin} with a pair of menuki {beneath the silk binding} of war arrows with samurai armour.

Signed "Hoki no Kuni ju Yoshiyuki. swordsmith named Yoshiyuki (吉幸), worked in Hōki Province (伯耆国), modern-day Tottori Prefecture, during the late Edo period (around the 1860s). He signed his work with variations like "Hoki no Kuni ju Yoshiyuki," was known as Shimizu Tōshirō, and produced blades exhibiting detailed jihada (grain) and hamon (temper lines) with ko-nie (small bright particles).
Yoshiyuki (real name Shimizu Tōshirō).
Hōki Province (now Tottori, Japan).
Period: Late Edo (Bunkyū era, 1861-1864) through the Meiji Restoration.
Signature: "Hoki no Kuni ju Yoshiyuki" (伯耆国住吉幸).
Often features itame (wood grain) mixed with mokume ( burl grain), ji-nie, chikei, and utsuri, with a hamon of midare (irregular) with ko-notare (small drops) and ko-gunome (small arcs).
Yoshiyuki was a recognized smith from Hōki Province, noted for his work in the late Shintō period, even creating swords during the ban on wearing swords in 1876.
Blades from him often considered significant examples from that era, showcasing traditional craftsmanship even as Japan modernized.

The tachi style of swords preceded the development of the katana the first use of the word katana to indicate a blade different from tachi appears toward the end of the twelfth century. In later Japanese feudal history, during the Sengoku and Edo periods, certain high-ranking warriors of what became the ruling class would wear their sword tachi-style (edge-downward), rather than with the saya (scabbard) thrust through the belt with the edge upward. The bakuhan taisei was the feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan. Baku, or "tent," is an abbreviation of bakufu, meaning "military government" that is, the shogunate. The han were the domains headed by daimyo. The number of han (roughly 250) fluctuated throughout the Edo period. They were ranked by size, which was measured as the number of koku that the domain produced each year. One koku was the amount of rice necessary to feed one adult male for one year. The minimum number for a daimyo was ten thousand koku; the largest, apart from the shogun, was a million.

Samurai horsemen began as aristocratic mounted archers in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), serving nobles, evolving into powerful warriors controlling the state by the Kamakura era (1185-1333) with the rise of the Shogunate, mastering bows, swords, and later polearms, forming the iconic image of armoured, skilled riders who defended Japan and defined its military culture for centuries before their eventual abolition in the 19th century.
Origins and Early Development (Heian Period, 794-1185)
Early Protectors: The term "samurai" (meaning "one who serves") emerged as provincial warriors, often landowners, serving aristocratic families as guards.
Mounted Archery: Their initial primary skill was horseback archery, using asymmetrical bows, with horses and armour often signifying wealth.
Decentralized Power: Central government weakness led to reliance on these regional warrior clans (Uji), shifting power from the court to local strongmen.
Rise to Power (Kamakura Period, 1185-1333)
Feudal System: Clan rivalries culminated in the Genpei War, leading to the rise of the first Shogunate (military government) and establishing the samurai as Japan's dominant political and military force.
Bushido: The samurai code of honour, Bushido, became firmly established during this time.
Mongol Invasions (1270s): Samurai horsemen, skilled in archery and swordsmanship, successfully defended Japan against Mongol invasions.
Evolution of Tactics (14th - 16th Centuries)
Swords & Polearms: While archery remained important, swordsmanship (especially with the katana) grew, and later, the introduction of lance-armed cavalry charges became a feared tactic, notably by the Takeda clan.
Infantry Integration: By the late 16th century, powerful samurai leaders like Oda Nobunaga began integrating firearms and massed infantry, leading to significant tactical shifts, as seen at the Battle of Nagashino (1275).
Decline & Legacy (Late Edo Period to Meiji Restoration)
Abolition: The samurai class was officially abolished during the Meiji Restoration in the late 1870s, ending their military and social dominance but solidifying their legendary status in Japanese history and culture. However the presentation of samurai swords did not stop {after the samurai class were removed from power} as their status, was, for ever more indelibly linked entirely to both the history and the future of Japan, for without the sword there would have been no legendary samurai, and without the samurai there would have been no Japan.  read more

Code: 26006

A Very Fine, Original, Shinto, 'Tokugawa' Antique Tachi, Presented In Yokahama, Japan, in 1896, to Admiral Wildes, Capt. of USS Boston, Of Admiral Dewey's Spanish War Fleet, And, Veteran of The Civil War Battle of Mobile Under Admiral Farragut.

Admiral Frank Wildes, hero of the Spanish War, was firmly rooted within the entire maritime and military history and beginnings of American nationhood. His great grandfather was a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War, Solomon Lovell of Weymouth, having commanded the defenses of Boston during the Revolution, and his grandfather, Capt. William Wildes, having been a Lieutenant of the old frigate Boston. His maternal grandfather. Ithamar Rice, participated in fight at Lexington. And, as a young ensign, { a graduate of the US Naval Academy in 1863} Admiral Wildes fought under Admiral Farragut at Mobile in the Civil War.
His presentation tachi spent the entire Christmas period break receiving a 'no expense spared' museum standard intensive conservation, taking sixty hours of artisan cleaning, polishing and preservation attention by our artisans. Who, at their own choice {despite protest from us} had no holiday break in order to finish the task before the New Year.

As all our regulars know almost every sword we display in our gallery is similarly respected with museum grade conservation undertaken as and when required. With our primary concern, for our ‘museum standard conservation’, is to be as original as possible, with all natural patination and beautiful aging remaining, if at all possible, and not to be a simply cosmetic restoration.

The samurai tachi is photographed displayed, traditional tachi style, upon an original rare Edo period tachi-kake stand with the Hakkoryu’s Yotsume-no-mon of the Okuyama clan {stock code 23511, and for sale separately}.

The sword bears traditional tachi koshirae throughout, of the Tokugawa shogun’s kamon, with nashiji urushi lacquer on the saya decorated with numerous mon, and the menuki are similarly of Tokugawa mon. The Shinto blade is o-Wazamono {supremely sharp} Photos in the gallery is an old family photo of the admiral, another is of the admiral’s sword, flag and uniform {from the auction sale} and yet one more of his old ship, USS Boston.

The tachi style of swords preceded the development of the katana the first use of the word katana to indicate a blade different from tachi appears toward the end of the twelfth century. In later Japanese feudal history, during the Sengoku and Edo periods, certain high-ranking warriors of what became the ruling class would wear their sword tachi-style (edge-downward), rather than with the saya (scabbard) thrust through the belt with the edge upward. The bakuhan taisei was the feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan. Baku, or "tent," is an abbreviation of bakufu, meaning "military government" that is, the shogunate. The han were the domains headed by daimyo. The number of han (roughly 250) fluctuated throughout the Edo period. They were ranked by size, which was measured as the number of koku that the domain produced each year. One koku was the amount of rice necessary to feed one adult male for one year. The minimum number for a daimyo was ten thousand koku; the largest, apart from the shogun, was a million. Kameda - Ishino - Magabuchi - Kawashima - Wada et Yamaoka clan.

Acquired from his descendant family, living in the UK. Famously, in America the US Navy hero's dress uniform and gold sword was auctioned by Skinnersinc, after his gilt, presentation American admiral's sword, was discovered after being locked in a mysterious family trunk for decades. It made American national news across the States, at the time the trunk was opened, to reveal its magnificent historical treasure and it was sold for $31,200.

Admiral, formerly Captain, Frank Wildes commanded the Protected Cruiser USS Boston (Cruiser No. 1) during the Spanish-American War, leading its crew of 19 officers and 259 men in action, a significant historical ship with a notable captain known for his leadership on this vessel.
Key Details about Captain Wildes & USS Boston:
Ship: USS Boston (Cruiser No. 1) was a protected cruiser, a type of warship. Captain Wildes commanded her during the Spanish-American War. He led a substantial crew of 19 officers and 259 enlisted men.

When USS Boston left Hong Kong for the war in Manila the British naval officers in Hong-Kong knew the difference between us and the Spanish in this particular, and when we were leaving port for Manila the captain of the HMS Immortality shouted to Captain Wildes: “You will surely win. I have seen too much of your target practice to doubt it.” The British in China were confident of our victory when we sailed, but I believe that the Russian, German, and French naval officers thought Spain would conquer.

From Gunner Joel C. Evans account after the victorious battle, 'When I returned to Hong-Kong on the SS McCulloch, leaving Manila on May 5. We made the trip in forty-six and a half hours. Our reception in the harbor was generous. We were surrounded by launches, while representatives of governments and of newspapers all over the world implored speedy information. That night ashore was to be remembered. ‘The Americans made a jollification of it that outdid any celebration in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The British residents joined in it, and in spirit the men of the two nations were one in rejoicing over the victory of the Anglo-Saxon."

USS BOSTON was assigned to the United States Asiatic Squadron under Commodore Dewey. She took part in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, and the capture of the city of Manila on August 13th. The cruiser remained in the Philippines, assisting in their pacification, until June 1899. BOSTON returned to San Francisco in August, 1899 and went out of commission, rejoining the Pacific Squadron in 1902. In June, 1905 she helped represent the Navy at the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland, Oregon, and between April 23 and May 10, 1906 she helped care for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. As a militia training vessel and receiving ship she survived until 1946.

February 8th 1903 New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7.-Rear Admiral Frank Wildes of the United States Navy died suddenly on board the steamship China yesterday morning. He was on his way home from China on sick leave when death overtook him.

Admiral Wildes had recently been in charge of the fleet in Manila and about the Philippines, his service on the station dating from June, 1902. From the first the trying climate seemed to be too much for the officer. Under the strain of the continued heat and excessive humidity he constantly lost strength, until finally the naval Board of Survey stepped in and the Admiral was condemned as physically unfit for duty and ordered home to recuperate.

It was reported that upon Admiral Wildes's arrival in this country, if the sea voyage had brought his health back, he was to be placed in charge of the Bremerton Navy Yard. But the sea air did not work the cure hoped for.

From the time Admiral Wildes boarded the China at Hongkong he failed steadily. In Honolulu he was unable to leave his berth. He died at 10:30 A. M. Friday. His body was embalmed and brought on to port

Admiral Wildes was appointed from Massachusetts, and his family lived in Boston. He was accompanied on the steamer by Lieut. Andrews, Commander E. B. Barry, and Capt. West of the navy. On the voyage he had told his fellow-officers that he expected death soon, and a day or two before the end came he arranged with Lieut. Andrews to take charge of all his effects and care for his remains. He was dressing on Friday morning when he was seized suddenly with heart failure. He died within five minutes.

The news of the Admiral's death was conveyed to the warships in the harbor soon after the arrival of the China in port, and as the steamer went up the bay to her wharf she passed close to the anchorage of the battleships and each of them had its flags at half-mast.

Rear Admiral Frank Wildes, recently Senior Squadron Commander of the Asiatic station on the flagship Rainbow, had a splendid career in the navy. His promotion from the rank of Captain followed closely upon his conspicuous conduct in the battle of Manila, May 1, 1898. He was at that time the Captain of the cruiser Boston and remained about the Philippines until the Spanish surrender, on Aug. 18. He was detached and ordered home on Nov. 6, 1898, and was sent to the navy yard in Brooklyn April 1, 1899. He had since that time been in the Philippines. His period of service there was scheduled to end on Dec. 22, 1902. He attained the rank of Rear Admiral in October, 1901.

He was born in Boston June 17, 1843. He came of a family of fighters, his great-grandfather, Brig. Gen. Solomon Lovell of Weymouth, having commanded the defenses of Boston during the Revolution, and his grandfather, Capt. William Wildes, having been a Lieutenant of the old frigate Boston. His maternal grandfather. Ithamar Rice, participated in fight at Lexington.

Wildes was graduated from the Naval Academy on May 28, 1863, and was appointed an Ensign. He participated in the battles of Mobile and the naval battery under Admiral Farragut until the surrender of Fort Morgan.  read more

Code: 26069

Ancient Roman Gladiator Bronze Seal Ring, With Intaglio of Standing Gladiator With Shield and Flagellum. Early Imperial Julio-Claudian Emperors Period From The 1st Century A.D. of Emperors Augustus, Tiberious, Caligula, Claudius & Nero

In copper bronze with great, natural age patination. Classified as Henig type Xb by Dr. Martin Henig.

By far the greatest percentage of rings from the Roman era were engraved in the stylised form, such as this fine example. Worn either by a higher ranking, possibly freed gladiator, or, possibly an owner of gladiators, as was portrayed by Oliver Reed in the movie 'Gladiator', depicting the world famous combat slaves of Rome.

The wearing of the ring was the prerogative alone of Roman citizens or those of high rank and esteem, that some gladiators always aspired to but rarely achieved due to their short life span within their violent craft. However some did achieve such great success and were rewarded with riches, freedom and the right to wear the traditional Roman bronze status ring.

Another picture in the gallery is of a well-preserved fresco, recently unearthed in Pompeii—the Roman city razed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D.—it depicts the final act of a gladiator fight: As one combatant begs for mercy, the victorious warrior awaits instructions on whether to kill or spare his opponent.

A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their lives and their legal and social standing by appearing in the arena. Most were despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalised, and segregated even in death. However, success in the arena could mean riches and fame beyond their wildest dream. For many this was the greatest escape from slavery there was.

Irrespective of their origin, gladiators offered spectators an example of Rome's martial ethics and, in fighting or dying well, they could inspire admiration and popular acclaim. They were celebrated in high and low art, and their value as entertainers was commemorated in precious and commonplace objects throughout the Roman world.

The origin of gladiatorial combat is open to debate. There is evidence of it in funeral rites during the Punic Wars of the 3rd century BC, and thereafter it rapidly became an essential feature of politics and social life in the Roman world. Its popularity led to its use in ever more lavish and costly games.

The gladiator games lasted for nearly a thousand years, reaching their peak between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD the time of Emperor Commodus. Christians disapproved of the games because they involved idolatrous pagan rituals, and the popularity of gladiatorial contests declined in the fifth century, leading to their disappearance.

Marcus Aurelius acceded to the throne alongside his adoptive brother, who reigned under the name Lucius Verus. Under his rule the Roman Empire witnessed heavy military conflict. In the East, the Romans fought successfully with a revitalized Parthian Empire and the rebel Kingdom of Armenia. Marcus defeated the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatian Iazyges in the Marcomannic Wars; however, these and other Germanic peoples began to represent a troubling reality for the Empire.

Commodus was the Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until the latter's death in 180, and thereafter he reigned alone until his assassination. His reign is commonly thought of as marking the end of a golden period of peace in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana.
Commodus became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16. During his solo reign, the Roman Empire enjoyed reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Intrigues and conspiracies abounded, leading Commodus to revert to an increasingly dictatorial style of leadership, culminating in his creating a deific personality cult, with his performing as a gladiator in the Colosseum. Throughout his reign, Commodus entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain and praetorian prefects, named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander.

Commodus's assassination in 192, by a wrestler in the bath, marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.

Not only did the ‘games’ centre on gladiators, they also included animals fighting other animals, such as bears fighting lions or lions vs horses. Since ancient times horses have been trained for combat, not just to be non-fearful in carrying its rider into the melee of hand to hand combat, but to kill any adversary, albeit a man or another animal.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading  read more

Code: 25080

Ancient Early Imperial 1st Century Roman Equestris Legionary's or Centurion's Ring Intalglio Engraved With Horse Mounted Roman

Classified by the seminal classification of ancient ring forms, by Dr. Martin Henig, as Ancient Roman, Henig type Xb.

Wide oval bezel affixed to flattened shoulders engraved copper alloy, with a fair amount of aged surface russetting. Almost identical to one found in the UK, near Hadrian's Wall. The ring was important for displaying the Roman's status. For example Tiberius, who was after all left-handed according to Suetonius, thus displays a ring in his bronze portrait as the Pontifex Maximus:

The most common alloy employed for the largest number of ornaments and with the greatest variety of shapes was brass, the alloy of copper and zinc. The high number of alloys with a different composition indicates that there was a significantly increased demand for jewellery similar in colour to precious metal, but less expensive and easier to produce. Made from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberious, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero and l;ikely used up to era of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. In 181 AD, Marcus Valerius Maximianus, an important Roman general, was the general of the 1st Legion Italica, and he was a confident of Emperor Marcus Aurelias, during the period of the Marcomannic Wars. It is said he inspired the composite fictional general Maximus Decimus Meridius, the main character and Roman General in Gladiator played by Russell Crowe, and it was the Marcomannic wars that are depicted in the earliest scenes in Gladiator in which the fictional version of Marcus Valerius Maximis was a commanding general. The real Marcus Valerius Maximianus was placed in charge of detachments of the praetorian fleets of Misenum and Ravenna and also of African and Moorish cavalry used for scouting duties in Pannonia. While on active service with the cavalry Maximianus killed a Germanic chieftain named as "Valao, chief of the Naristi" with his own hand and was publicly praised by the Emperor, who granted him the chieftain's "horse, decorations and weapons". He was appointed prefect of the lance-bearing cavalry and was in charge of the cavalry.
The complete Roman Empire had around a 60 million population and a census more perfect than many parts of the world (to collect taxes, of course) but identification was still quite difficult and aggravated even more because there were a maximum of 17 men names and the women received the name of the family in feminine and a number (Prima for First, Secunda for Second…). A lot of people had the same exact name.
So the Roman proved the citizenship by inscribing themselves (or the slaves when they freed them) in the census, usually accompanied with two witnesses. Roman inscribed in the census were citizens and used an iron or bronze ring to prove it. With Augustus, those that could prove a wealth of more than 400,000 sesterces were part of a privileged class called Equites (knights) that came from the original nobles that could afford a horse. The Equites were middle-high class and wore a bronze or gold ring to prove it, with the famous Angusticlavia (a tunic with an expensive red-purple twin line). Senators (those with a wealth of more than 1,000,000 sesterces) also used the gold ring and the Laticlave, a broad band of purple in the tunic.

So the rings were very important to tell from a glimpse of eye if a traveller was a citizen, an equites or a senator, or legionary. People sealed and signed letters with the rings and its falsification could bring death.
The fugitive slaves didn’t have rings but iron collars with texts like “If found, return me to X” which also helped to recognise them. The domesticus slaves (the ones that lived in houses) didn’t wore the collar but sometimes were marked. A ring discovered 50 years ago is now believed to possibly be the ring of Pontius Pilate himself, and it was the same copper-bronze form ring as is this one.  read more

Code: 24786

A Victorian, Stilleto Style, So-Called Courtesan’s Dagger. A Most Elegant Garter Knife Ideal For A Victorian Ladies Concealmet

With very attractive pressed ivorine handle made to simulate finest ivory.
A courtesan’s dagger was so called due to their attractiveness and useful size for concealment by unaccompanied ladies abroad after dark.

Of course they would never have been sold as such by retailers, and the term has entered the vernacular of collectors probably even after the time they were actually made, however, like the term 'mortuary hilted swords' that bore the engraved visage of the king in the hilt from the English Civil War, they were never actually called that until almost 200 years later.

They are most attractively designed elegant daggers, just such as this fine example, with a slender and most efficient blade. Ladies of the night became a major concern and a focal point for social reformers in the 19th century. Concerns were seen everywhere including the literature of notables such as Charles Dickens. He created characters (some of which may have had real life versions) like Nancy in Oliver Twist, and Martha Endell in David Copperfield.

No one knows for certain, but there were somewhere between 8,000 and 80,000 in London during the Victorian Age. It is generally accepted that most of these women found themselves in prostitution due to economic necessity.

There were three attitudes towards prostitution – condemnation, regulation, and reformation. Dickens adopted the last and was intimately involved in a house of reform called Urania Cottage.
No scabbard as it possibly may never have had one. Blade 4.25 inches, overall 8.25 inches long  read more

Code: 24413

A Stunning & Beautifu, Edo Period Tachi-kake, The Traditional Japanese Samurai Tachi Sword Stand. Used by Such As The Okuyama Clan's Daimyo lord. A Clan That Were Descendants of The Famous Genji Clan

Finest black urushi Japanese lacquerwork, over carved wood, bearing numerous hiramaki-e gold clan "four eyes" Hakkoryu kamon throughout. Constructed in two main pieces, that slot together for assembly, and apart, for storage and transportation in the samurai baggage train.

Also shown in the gallery with sword {stock code 26069} holding our Tokugawa shinto tachi, that was presented to the American Naval hero, Admiral Wildes, at Yokahama in Japan in 1896.

This gallery of photos show the stand holding a completely different 'dragon' tachi. The price shown here, £3450 gbp, is for the stand {tachi-kake} alone, not with either of the tachis.

The Hakkoryu’s Yotsume-no-mon of the Okuyama clan who are descendants of the famous Genji clan (also called Minamoto). The clan was popularized in a famous Heian period romance Genji Monogatari, written by Murasaki Shikibu.

Most prominent of the Genji clan was Minamoto Yoritomo, a renowned general during the Kamakura period. During this era, the two most powerful clans were the Genji and their enemies, the Taira (also Heiko). The Taira were defeated in a fierce sea battle during the Genpei war and Minamoto Yoritomo and his descendants reigned supreme in Japan for some time.

The type of mon (crest) used in Hakkoryu was used by a retainer of the Minamoto clan and is commonly known as Meyui, after the concept of tie-dying. The particular style of the Hakkoryu mon is commonly known as Yotsume (“four eyes”). The significance of the crest is related primarily to the ancestors of the Okuyama family. However, the geometric design of eight squares related directly to the number eight of Hakkoryu* and the four eyes denotes preparedness for attack from all directions. There is also a superstition attached to Yotsume, as the “four eyes” guard against evil. This idea has been extended to include personal protection as in the case of Hakkoryu. The tachikake sword stand displayed the sword in a standing upright position, as opposed to the katanakake horizontal position. The vertical meant only one sword could be held, the horizontal two or several. The vertical tachikake makes a more impressive centrepiece display today, but when originally made if stood on the floor immediately next to the samurai's bed roll, the sword could be grabbed in an instant by a recumbant sleeping samurai if alerted to imminent danger. The Edo period (1603–1868) saw an increase in the focused cultivation of lacquer trees for urushi, and the development of the techniques used. In the 18th century coloured lacquers came into wider use. With the development of economy and culture, and the artistic quality of lacquered furniture improved. Hon'ami Kōetsu and Ogata Kōrin brought the designs of the Rinpa school of painting into lacquerware. After the middle of the Edo period, Inro box containers worn from the samuria's obi hung by cords became popular as men's accessories, and wealthy merchants of the chōnin class and samurai class collected inro of the highest aesthetic value, most precisely designed with urushi lacquer. Marie Antoinette and Maria Theresa were known collectors of fine Japanese lacquerware and their collections are exhibited in the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. During this period, due to the development of the economy, shishiai-togidashi maki-e, an advanced technique, became popular. Small areas of natural age wear markings.  read more

Code: 23511

A Wonderful, Original, Historical, Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantine Christian Cross In Bronze 7th to 10th Century

A super, small collection of original, historical, Imperial Roman and Crusader's artefacts has just been acquired by us and will be added over the next week or so. This Bronze Cross was hand forged during the Middle Ages in the cradle of Christianity, the Byzantine Empire. In AD 324, the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine the Great transferred the Eastern Roman Empire capital to Byzantium, which became Constantinople, known as ''New Rome''. The Byzantine Empire became centred on the capital of Constantinople and was ruled by Emperors in direct succession to the ancient Roman Emperors. With the eventual decline of Rome, the Church of Constantinople became the richest and most influential center of the Christian world.
The reign of Justinian the Great in 527-565 marked a blossoming of Byzantine culture with a building program that yielded such masterpieces as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Wisdom of God, Hagia Sophia. Justinian, who is considered a Saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, created the authority of this Church, which firmly established Christianity throughout the Empire. This Byzantine Empire would exist for more than a thousand years until 1453 and was one of the most powerful economic, cultural, and military forces in Europe and Asia Minor. This superb cross was most certainly worn by a Byzantine citizen as a statement of faith during this amazing age of early Christendom. Picture in the gallery of an 8th century painting 'Christ is the Crucified, and a King'. The details of the painting are, they say; 'He is robed in majesty; He is fastened to the Cross. He wears the royal purple robes with which His scorners intended to mock Him, but He, Alpha and Omega, the first and last Word, the Primogenitor of those who are being saved, confers His own divine dignity onto the very idea of kingship. He wears the glory that inspired the good thief to plead for his salvation, with the confidence of the One whose Sonship makes that salvation possible'.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 23253

Choose The Ideal New Year Gift From Great Britain's Favourite Armoury Antiques & Collector's Shop. Some of The Best Ideas You Could Imagine, For The New Year, Have Come From The Lanes Armoury’. Our 106th New Year in Brighton

We sincerely hope you all enjoyed the Christmas festivities. From today, all New Year week purchases with be delivered after Monday the 5th.

All our military antiques, and collectables {pistols muskets, swords arms and armour etc.} purchased online, can be securely hand delivered, to your door, within the UK mainland, by one of dozens of our dedicated couriers, normally, within seven days, but often within three. *Not including Weekends and Bank Holidays. Our record of safe and secure deliveries is unrivalled. No expense is spared {yet it is free of charge to our clients} to ensure all purchases are literally entombed in safe transportation materials. Overseas deliveries have the very same attention to detail for packing, safety, and protection, but, naturally can take longer.

To one and all, we wish a Healthy, Happy, and Prosperous New Year.

Our closing time over this New Year week is just one day, the 1st of January.

Although we will still be contactable by telephone or via email all over the single day New Year Holiday. Deliveries can still be made to us at our top floor office, that is manned 24/7 throughout in order to maintain our website and process orders. We never open on Sundays.
From within the UK you can call us on
01273 321357 11.00 am till 4.00pm
or 24/7 07721010085
To contact us by telephone outside of the UK call, in office hours, 00 44 1273 321357,
or, if outside of UK and outside of office hours, call 00 44 7721 010085
or, if calling from North America dial 011 44 1273 321357 or 011 44 7721 010085.

Last week we sent some magical & fabulous historical gift choices to our clients in USA, Canada, Japan, France, The Netherlands, Singapore, Australia & New Zealand plus of course, dozens in the UK too!
Keep an eye on our site this coming week for our latest arrivals due to be listed, as usual, fabulous bound volumes, some remarkable pieces from antiquity, more stunning samurai swords, plus a great collection of iconic antique British combat swords from the past two hundred and fifty years. Only the other day we added to our website a masterpiece of the French gunmakers art, possibly presented by the Emperor Napoleon himself. A magical combination of purest gold, finest juglans regia walnut, with masterfully chiselled steel and lustrous silver. A five figure piece that could easily be six figures if it was only known to whom it was presented. A secret lost into the mists of time!
Another fabulous and historical sword is due to arrive next week, finger’s crossed! Watch this space.

This was our 105th year of family trading this Christmas, and the dawn of our 106th year this Thursday. However, we have actually traded in Brighton for well over 200 years, but until WW1 we were principally involved in the fishing trade, especially seafood. In the early 19th century we used to supply the Brighton Royal Pavilion, the palace of King George IVth {formerly the Prince Regent} with shellfish.
Our current senior partner, Mark joined the family business in 1971, and for 15 years, in the last century, he was the head sales director of our antique export company, one of the largest in the world at that time, and personally handled, supervised, identified and shipped, over 2,000 antiques, to America alone, every single week, handling in that time around 1.5 to 2 million antiques, of all kinds, and that alone likely means he has handled more, original, antiques than any other current living dealer in the world today, just as his father did before him, after the war.

Every year, many, many millions of people visit Brighton, and many hundreds of thousands of them find there way here to us. In fact up to two or three thousand often visit us every opening day.
The world famous New York Times included our gallery in their list as one of the very best places to visit in the UK when travelling to Europe from America. Where else in the UK could you leave a store, after a jolly Christmas holiday visit, with a selection of original WW2 Officer’s uniform buttons for only £1.50p each, or an original solid gold and gemstone intaglio carved seal ring once worn 1700 years ago by an Imperial Roman senator. Where you might rub shoulders with a former American President’s First Lady, a Hollywood superstar, {our latest recent superstar visitor was British actor Tom Hardy, (who returned once again for another visit this weekend) another recent customer, a professor of textiles from America, who very kindly arranged for us to receive some conservation papers from the Met, or a retired Scottish teacher on a regular visit from the Outer Hebrides.

Incredible things seem to happen here every day, for example, just a few weeks ago a very nice gentleman arrived here, after travelling all the way from Hong Kong, just to view and purchase one of our most special Japanese swords we were offering, and just as it was being packed up, after our business together was concluded, for its long journey to his home, another gentleman called on the phone with sincere interest in order to buy that very same sword, just a few minutes after the Hong Kong gentleman bought it, and bearing in mind we have many hundreds of swords on offer, and many thousands of intriguing pieces.
This remarkable occurrence was witnessed by one of our oldest friends and a very special regular customer, who was seated witnessing the whole turn of events, and he was amazed at the incredible coincidence, yet, he exclaimed, that so many hundreds of times he has been here in the past near 20 years, and he has seen, first hand, just how often that happens. We are truly a shop of most remarkably diverse visitors, and extraordinary coincidences.

As a former client, world renowned author, John Osborne, once said to Mark,
“It’s quite extraordinary, you can see just about everyone you could imagine here, and if you haven’t seen them yet, there’re probably on their way!’

Unique, ancient, antique and vintage beautiful items are our specialty, and be sure and certain that anything from us will be the best choice you can make this Christmas time. Recently arrived !
A flintlock pistol the likes of only normally to be seen in the very finest museums, containing the very finest arms presented by Napoleon to Kings and Sultans, a collection of dozens of wonderful British swords from the past 230 years, another huge collection of original samurai swords, from 500 years old to ancestral swords last used in WW2, an incredible ships captain’s spring bayonet mounted cannon barrelled blunderbuss, superb 19th century British and French cavalry helmets, also some stunning cannon balls fired at Waterloo. Plus, our current selection ranges from a collection just acquired of really great and rare bayonets, British German & French, antique WW1 and WW2, from a collector who wanted the very best he could find over the past 40 years. Including rare French examples from the 'Russian contract' during WW1, that were uncovered in Ukraine in the late 90's, and some French Foreign Legion bayonets, acquired from a French Foreign Legion reserve armoury depot clear-out in the 70's. Plus stunning and rare Japanese samurai swords including a beautiful, original 'Tamashigiri Cutting Test' antique samurai katana signed by high rated master smith, Masashige Tegarayama, 手柄山正繁 with a highly rare Tamashigiri Cutting Test, By Gonnosuke Komatsubara, Dated 1799 to some super Ist Edition Charles Dickens novels, and various fabulous, wonderful and utterly beautiful antique Victorian dragoon dress helmets. Also a stunning collection of historical, provenanced original Napoleonic War cannon balls and a huge French Howitzer explosive round { now inert}.

All kinds of other unique and fabulous conversation pieces, including some delightful volumes, have been acquired lately, such as, for example, a 1st edition of The Third Man by Graham Greene, one of David senior’s fellow imbibers at our neighbours ancient establishment, The Cricketers, Brighton’s 500 year old inn.

Another part of our original Japanese katana acquisitions arrived, and as usual many are stunning beauties and A Superb Choice For This New Year, And a Special Price Too! A Very Good World War II Imperial Japanese Army Officer's Katana with a famous family's silver clan mon, a likely Japanese general’s sword {it once has a general officer’s knot affixed, but sadly now lost.}

We have had arrive here recently, some more really wonderful, original pieces of history. And as usual, this occurs almost every single day, {except Sunday} sometimes many times in a day if we are fortunate. Being one of all the world’s collectors favourite stores, some incredible artifacts are almost magnetically drawn to our doorstep every opening hour.

Every item, as usual, will be accompanied with our unique, presentation quality, 'Certificate of Authenticity' that will not only fully certify it's genuineness, but it will detail the circumstance of it's origin, and where and when it may have been used in it's specific or generic history.
Where else in Britain could you walk out of the store this Christmas with an original souvenir from Alexander the Great's battle with the Persians in 334 B.C, from only £65, to a fabulous unique handmade gold, diamond and ruby 'Mystery Watch' once owned by movie legend, Elizabeth Taylor, for just under £180,000, or, a 2500 year old ancient Chinese sword that may very likely have once been the sword of a king!, and how about a fabulous 'Shaturnal' a Moghul War-Elephant cannon

We are very proud to offer a superb selection of ancient antiquities, swords, daggers and spears from all the major past empires and civilisations of the world from over the past 3,500 years. In fact many recognise our unique and original selection is likely the best and most comprehensive to be seen, and offered for sale, anywhere in Europe, and possibly even the world over.

This New Year season we can offer thousands of pieces, including, such as, a fabulous complete antique set of Charles Dickens novels.

"Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

— GROUCHO MARX
{and yes, he was a visiting customer as well, in around March 1965}

And please be further assured, all gift purchases may be changed after Christmas for any form of suitable alternatives.

"Doesn't someone you know deserve something unique from The Lanes Armoury". Just look at a few of our thousands of pages of delectable offerings, that vary from a very rare Rowntree’s WW2 munitions factory Rescue Officer’s helmet, to an Iceni chieftain’s chariot rein mount from the Roman-Celtic war with Queen Boudicca in England 2000 years ago, to very rare Italian Renaissance 16th century prince's dagger, to crossbow bolts recovered from the Battle site of Bannockburn {23–24 June 1314}, to some exceptional swords from the Napoleonic Wars, some belonging to several of Napoleon's generals. One, is a presentational grade sabre, somewhat akin to the fabulous Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund swords awarded to hero’s of the wars with Napoleon {but fortunately, not for the 100,000 pounds plus cost that they can command today}, &, to a superb Gurkha’s WW2 military issue kukri for just a few hundred pounds. Everything is possible through our portals, for all budget ranges, from just a few pounds to six figures.

The Lanes Armoury described by the 'New York Times' as one of the very best stores and destinations to visit when in Europe.
A living, breathing gallery that is a huge walk around ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, containing thousands of original historical and magical pieces from the ancient long past, to the near recent. In fact, from 300,000 years of human history, and 100 million years of world history.

We are certainly not the biggest premier store in Europe recommended by the New York Times, in fact we are probably the smallest, but what we lack in size, apparently, we more than make up for in amazement, and wonder, and, the family have been trading in antiques in Brighton for over 104 years. Prior to that, we traded in Brighton caught shellfish for the previous 100 plus years, with our licensed shellfish concessions for the entire Brighton coastline.

For example, we added recently items that range from a Samurai Ancestral Sword Around 600 years old {or more}, a WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword With An Ancestral Blade 450 Years Old, an original late Koto to shinto samurai’s daisho, a stunning ‘Agincourt’, hand-and-a-half knights sword, a Seige of Troy era Bronze Age sword, incredibly rare original Viking warriors sword around 1000 years old, a beautiful samurai’s disguised fan dagger, plus, Ancient Roman Gladiator's rings for both for a Gladiator and Gladiatrix, around 1700 years old.

Google just let us know our updated Google entry just past the amazing 1,000,000 { one million } searches in order to find out our location in order to visit us here in Brighton, England.

Twenty Four Years Ago, After 80 Years Trading in Brighton, We Were Honoured by Being Nominated & Awarded by BACA, In The Best Antique & Collectables Shop In Britain Awards 2001
Presented by MILLER'S Antiques Guide, THE BBC, HOMES & ANTIQUES MAGAZINE, for the British Antique & Collectables Awards. The version of the antique dealers ‘Oscars’ of Britain.


In the gallery, the first photo, is a wonderful daybreak photo, taken the at the farm two Christmas seasons ago, December 2023. Showing what some are calling the South of England's 'Sky-on-Fire' Daybreak. You can see in the far distance in his retirement paddock the late Judy Hawkins's beloved former UK 'Supreme Champion' Scottish Highland grey pony, that was a frequent competitor against the late queen's Highlands at Windsor Castle. In his prime, he had his own worldwide fan club, and competition followers. A photo in the gallery is old “Governor’ and his little chum “Roger” waiting for their morning apples at our farm last year, sadly, they are now no longer with us. Another is Judy and Holly, watching "Governor" in competition together, then Holly alone ten years later, with her horse, alone, following on in her late devoted grandmother's passion, and, the family tradition. Our family have been entranced by our love of animals since modern memory, but principally dogs and horses, for over 200 years. Of course, in regards to horses, the first 130 years was by necessity, as then you couldn’t get anything done, in both the domestic or business world, at all, without them, but the past 70 years has been for love, pleasure and joy alone.
This year has been a tough one for our equine life. First we lost Governor, then Roger, then just the other week, Arrow. But the many decades of joy they brought us all, and hopefully the joyous life they all led with us here, more than makes up for our feelings of loss and sadness.

The last photo in the gallery is an autographed photo, given to Mark personally, by the late, great, 40th President of The United States, Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office of The White House.  read more

Code: 25540

A Most Fine and Impressive Samurai Horseman's Handachi Katana. Shinto Period From the 1600's Around 400 Years Old. Semi Tachi Mounted. Dressed in a Full Suite Of Matching Original Edo Koshirae. Designed To Be Worn & Used In Combat Upon Horseback

Without doubt this superb horseman’s sword must be classified as a statement piece within the world of original samurai art swords. It has a wonderful stand-alone presence that is at the same time subtle yet outstanding. Demonstrating the traditional timeless elegance of samurai object d’arte, yet a samurai’s sword of war, at home both at the court of a clan Daimyo, or within a battle scenario, during the hand to hand combat of a clash of a teeming mass of mounted samurai, in the middle of a melee, during the constant clan warfare in the early Tokugawa period.

Superbly depicted in the great samurai masterpiece ‘Shogun’ by James Clavell. It clearly demonstrates that despite the eras title as the ‘era of prolonged peace’ after the Tokugawa unified the control of Japan, since their incredible victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, the internecine conflicts, created warfare that raged throughout Japan.
Clan after clan conspired and fought for dominance, within the new and greatest ‘Tokugawa’ Shogunate, that Japan had seen in 500 years. Political stability in the governance of Japan as a whole, did little the abate the power struggles between clans, within the new time of Japanese isolationism. The anti Christian resolve of many traditional clans, to rid Japan of the post 1530’s period of influence, due to the Catholic religious conversions, { from Shintoism and Buddhism} by the Portuguese and Spanish priests, that arrived hand in hand, as part of the ‘Black Ship’ merchant trade fleet. Several clans had been converted to Christianity since their arrival the century before.
It initially suited the new Shogun quite nicely, to subvert the Shinto religious authority, and their power, that had grown to rival his own, to allow Christian conversions, in order to somewhat ‘concentrate the minds’ of the traditional religious bodies, away from their influence and their continual attempted control {to a degree} of the autonomy of their Shogun, and thus to move their attention away from him, and towards the Christian clans, in order for them to crush the foreign interlopers. That has been a tactic used by many despotic powers for millennia, such as by Stalin, and Saddam, for example, that it is far better for the subordinate generals to be inspired to battle against each other for power, than for them to combine their power, in order conspire together against their leader and the dictator. But, once the Shogun’s power was irrefutable, he then allowed the Shinto clans to rid Japan of Christianity, and outlaw and slaughter all the converted Christian clans and their families. The more the clans fought amongst themselves, the better it was for the Shogun.

Fully leather bound tsuka-ito with iron fuchi and kabuto-gane with gilt edges, soft metal menuki in the form of a Daikyū and Ya, {war bow on one side and arrows on the other}, mokko-shaped signed iron tsuba, and the sword is set in its beautiful, original, original Edo period, urushi black lacquer saya decorated with an incredibly beautiful feathered swirling pattern, with traditional handachi mounts in black iron with gold trim that are fully en-suite and matching with the tsuka.

The blade has a stunning and complex gunome hamon, which in English terms, looks much akin to the surface of waves in choppy seas

Han-dachi originally appeared during the Muromachi period when there was a transition taking place from Tachi to katana. The sword was being worn more and more edge up when on foot, but edge down on horseback as it had always been. The handachi is a response to the need to be worn in either style. The samurai were roughly the equivalent of feudal knights. Employed by the shogun or daimyo, they were members of hereditary warrior class that followed a strict "code" that defined their clothes, armour and behaviour on the battlefield. But unlike most medieval knights, samurai warriors could read and they were well versed in Japanese art, literature and poetry.

The Japanese samurai and their famously iconic swords lasted relatively unchanged for 1200 years. A Nara period tachi sword of 700 ad was not that much different from a late Tokugawa period tachi sword of 1860. Compare that to Europe, every style and pattern of sword was used, and dramatic changes meant all forms of sword, and sword combat, changed and evolved from century to century. Yet in Japan the form changed little, the style was excellent from the very earliest period, and all that was required was incremental small improvements and very subtle changes. A samurai armed with a sword from 700 ad, would not appear that much changed 1100 years later. However, the samurai sword had been improved, and improved more, to a standard of quality excellence, after 500 years, that remained unrivalled throughout the world. A sword steel that was the finest steel ever created by mankind, a steel so fine that it bears no useful comparison to every other finest blade steel ever made. Damascus is likely the closest, but still way, way, below Japanese samurai sword steel. If Japanese samurai steel, ranked in first place, was compared to a formula one racing car, Damascus or pattern welded sword steel, ranked in second place, would be the equivalent to a twenty year old New York taxicab, with serous transmission issues, and absolutely no sword steel, whatsoever, of any grade, would lay between the two of them.

Overall this wonderful sword is in superb condition for age. The saya’s incredible quality urushi lacquer is very good, to excellent, with just natural age marks and wear, the blade is similarly excellent for age, with just natural age wear and small surface pinprick areas. The tsuka-ito is also very good indeed, with just one very small area of surface wear near the daikyu bow menuki.

Samurai horsemen began as aristocratic mounted archers in Japan's Heian period (794-1185), serving nobles, evolving into powerful warriors controlling the state by the Kamakura era (1185-1333) with the rise of the Shogunate, mastering bows, swords, and later lances, forming the iconic image of armored, skilled riders who defended Japan and defined its military culture for centuries before their eventual abolition in the 19th century.
Origins and Early Development (Heian Period, 794-1185)
Early Protectors: The term "samurai" (meaning "one who serves") emerged as provincial warriors, often landowners, serving aristocratic families as guards.
Mounted Archery: Their initial primary skill was horseback archery, using asymmetrical bows, with horses and armor often signifying wealth.
Decentralized Power: Central government weakness led to reliance on these regional warrior clans (Uji), shifting power from the court to local strongmen.
Rise to Power (Kamakura Period, 1185-1333)
Feudal System: Clan rivalries culminated in the Genpei War, leading to the rise of the first Shogunate (military government) and establishing the samurai as Japan's dominant political and military force.
Bushido: The samurai code of honor, Bushido, became firmly established during this time.
Mongol Invasions (1270s): Samurai horsemen, skilled in archery and swordsmanship, successfully defended Japan against Mongol invasions.
Evolution of Tactics (14th - 16th Centuries)
Swords & Lances: While archery remained important, swordsmanship (especially with the katana) grew, and later, the introduction of lance-armed cavalry charges became a feared tactic, notably by the Takeda clan.
Infantry Integration: By the late 16th century, powerful samurai leaders like Oda Nobunaga began integrating firearms and massed infantry, leading to significant tactical shifts, as seen at the Battle of Nagashino (1275).
Decline & Legacy (Edo Period to Meiji Restoration)
Peace & Ceremony: During the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868), the samurai transitioned from battlefield warriors to bureaucrats, administrators, and guardians of a more refined culture.
Abolition: The samurai class was officially abolished during the Meiji Restoration in the late 1870s, ending their military and social dominance but solidifying their legendary status in Japanese history and culture

Overall 41 inches long in saya, tsuka 10 1/2 inches long, blade 29 1/2 inches long, tsuba to tip  read more

Code: 26067

A Very Powerful & Beautiful Shinto Wakazashi, Signed Ujitsugu,With a Rare Chokuto Period Ancient Blade Style, Katakiriha-zukuri (片切刃造り), of 1300 Years Ago in the Nara Era {710 to 794 ad} . Made Circa 1670

Signed Ujitsugu, fine suguha hamon, bound tsuka with plain iron fuchi-kashira, floral menuki, iron sukashi tsuba, in its warm brown urushi lacquer lacquered saya circa 1670

Ujitsugu (康継): This is a renowned name, especially linked to the Echizen Yasutsugu school, a major sword-making family supported by the Tokugawa shogunate.

Katakiriha-zukuri (片切刃造り) refers to a style of Japanese sword construction where one side of the blade is flat (Hira), and the other side is a cutting edge (Kiriha) somewhat with a profile of a chisel edge. This style is characteristic of ""Chokuto"" (直刀), which are straight swords from the Nara period {710 to 794 ad} and earlier.

Although ""Katakiriha-zukuri"" is an old form of construction, it was revived in the early Edo period. During this time, short swords and "Wakizashi" (side word swords) were made in this style, using the early works as inspiration, as an homage to ancient samurai swords and warfare of 1300 years or more ago.

This style of construction is not only unique in its appearance but also in its functionality. The combination of a flat side and a cutting edge enhances the sword's cutting ability, making it a highly effective weapon. The revival of this style in the Edo period is a testament to the enduring value and appeal of traditional sword-making techniques."  read more

Code: 26068