A Very Good British 42" Barrel Second Pattern 'Brown Bess' Musket, Used From the Revolutionary War Until Waterloo. A Most Rare And Historical Musket From the Pantheon of the World Renown British ‘Brown Bess’ Musket.

A superb 18th century .750 inch bore, Brown Bess volunteer's musket, the pattern used from the Revolutionary War period and into the war with France. Superb walnut stock, traditional brass furniture with full side plate, two sling swivels complete. Engraved flintlock, with good sound and strong action, partly distinct naming, which could be Harvey or Hadley of London. Britain's "Brown Bess" flintlock musket is simply one of the most important military arms ever devised. Beginning its life almost 300 years ago, it created one of the greatest empires the word has ever seen and, among other achievements, made the 'British Square' the almost undefeated form of infantry defence throughout the world. Made in four distinct patterns it originally started life as a 46 inch barrel musket called the Long Land or Ist pattern Brown Bess.

Then in around 1768 the gun evolved and the barrel was shortened to 42 inches as 46 was deemed unwieldy and renamed the Short Land or 2nd pattern. Although the Long Land was made continually for another 20 years. With the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s, the British Board of Ordnance found itself woefully short of the 250,000 muskets it would need to equip its forces. It managed to produce around 20,000 short land pattern muskets but this was simply not sufficient. At that time the British East India Company maintained it own troops and had contracted with makers to produce a simplified version of the Brown Bess musket with a 39-inch barrel and less ornate furniture and stock work. It was generally felt that the standard of these "India pattern" muskets was not up to the standard of the earlier Besses, but necessity required action so the authorities convinced Company officials to turn over their stores to the Crown.

By 1797 the urgencies of war ultimately created the demise of the Short Pattern, and all manufacture was turned to building the more simple 'India' pattern. For the most part, the gun underwent few changes from its introduction until Waterloo, with the exception of the cock, which was altered from the traditional gooseneck style to a sturdier, reinforced version in around 1809. As well as British usage, some were also carried by King George's allies, among them the Russians and Prussians. The stock has an old hairline combat service partial crack in the stock at the wrist on just the reverse side but perfectly sound.

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo.

As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 23180

A Good Napoleonic Wars Regimentally Marked East Prussian Life Grenadier 'Guard' Regt. Rifle Musket

Marked on the butt tang a weapon number, or possibly a company number,12, then L.St B., likely the Lieb Stabawache Bat. {Life {Grenadier} Guard Staff Battalion}.

Regulation 133 cm long overall, with a rifled barrel and three steel barrel bands in 1809 the barrel bands were often made from steel instead of brass to save costs. Good flintlock action, superb patination overall and good stock.

Life Grenadier Battalion (Leib-Grenadier-Bataillon)
fought in over 21 battles during the Napoleonic Wars including: in 1807 -
Verteidg,
Colberg,
Sellnow,
Ausfallgefechte and
Wolfsburg.
1813 - Groß-Görschen,
Bautzen,
Katzbach,
Naumburg,
Hochkirch,
Reichenbach,
Bischofswerda,
Hänichen,
Möckern,
Freiburg and Hörselberg,
1814 - Montmirail,
Château Thierry,
Laon,
Trilport and Paris.

And an army of 50,000 Prussians fought at Waterloo under Boucher, and this musket’s user was thus likely attached to this army, possibly one of the 8,000 Prussians that were lost on the field of combat.

Historically, the Prussian army went through a radical reorganisation following Napoleon’s downfall in 1814. In October of that year the six existing grenadier battalions became two regiments and, as a mark of respect, the King of Prussia named these regiments after his allies, Czar Alexander of Russia and Emperor Francis of Austria. The Kaiser Alexander Grenadier Regiment was formed of the 1st and 2nd East Prussian battalions and the Life; the Kaiser Franz regiment was formed of men from the Pomeranian, West Prussian and Silesian battalions.

Prussia's catastrophic defeat at the hands of Napoleon in 1806-07 reduced the once-proud kingdom to an abject vassal of the Emperor of the French. The Prussian Army had been practically destroyed: At the twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt alone (14 October 1806) 38,000 Prussian troops were killed, wounded or captured, and more than 300 colors and standards were lost. Thus when the work of military reconstruction began in 1807 many regiments had to be rebuilt from scratch. The military reformers under General Gerhard von Scharnhorst consolidated the remaining units, renumbering many regiments in the process. A Prussian infantry regiment was now to be composed of two musketeer battalions, one fusilier battalion and two grenadier companies. The latter, however, were detached to form composite grenadier battalions, each four companies strong. Later these independent battalions were consolidated into two grenadier regiments, titled in honor of the Austrian and Russian Emperors. The line infantry regiments acquired territorial titles reflective of their recruiting areas. Infantry Regiment Nr. 1, for example, became Infantry Regiment Nr. 1 (East Prussian Nr. 1). The infantry of the Royal Guard, in 1806 consisting of the Liebgarde Regiment (Nr. 15, two battalions) and the Lieb Grenadier Battalion (Nr. 6), was also reconstituted, at first as a single regiment of Foot Guards. By 1815 there were two, along with a Guard light infantry battalion and a Guard rifle battalion. The 2nd Foot Guards Regiment was formed by amalgamating the Guard Grenadier Battalion with two battalions drafted in from the line; the latter continued to carry the colours of their old regiments. The two Guard regiments were organised like the line infantry, with two musketeer battalions, a fusilier battalion and two grenadier companies. The latter were detached to form the Lieb Grenadier Battalion. The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo.  read more

Code: 24731

Original, Antique, Victorian Household Cavalry Armour Breastplate Cuirass of the LifeGuards, The Blues &The Royals. the Mounted Personal Bodyguard Regiments of the British Monarch, Part of The Household Division

With With brass edge trim & rivets. It bears the ordnance inspection stamps. Used by all of H.M.Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry regiments.

During a visit to the Tower several decades ago, thanks to an invitation by our friend Howard Blackmore {historian and assistant curator at the Tower} we had a discussion, amongst many other subjects, of the conversion of the Life Guards and Horseguards back to armoured heavy cavalry, after around 150 years of un-armoured service as the monarch's mounted guard since the 17th century.

This is one of those early cuirass breast plates created for the newly armoured horse guards regiments.

From 1661 to 1778, the Life Guards Troops saw action in the Jacobite Wars, the Second Dutch War
(when they served as sailors) ant the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1778 the four Horse
Guard Troops and Horse Grenadiers re-formed as the 1st Life Guards. Both Regiments fought
with distinction in the Waterloo campaign.
For the Egyptian War of 1882, Life Guards formed a Composite Household Cavalry
Regiment with the Royal Horse Guards, making Royal Horse Guards, making the famous
moonlight charge at Kassain. In 1894, for the relief of Khartoum, both Regiments contributed
soldiers to the Heavy Camel Regiment and were again formed as a Composite Household
Cavalry Regiment for the 2nd Boer War in 1900

The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), initially known as The Tangier Horse, were raised by
King Charles II to form part of the garrison at Tangier, which had been acquired on his
marriage to Catherine of Braganza as part of her dowry. Known as The Royals, during the
18th century the Regiment saw service in most of the same wars as The Blues, including the
Peninsula campaign and Waterloo, where the Regiment famously captured the Eagle of the
French 105th Infantry Regiment. However, in the 19th century, unlike The Blues, The Royals
saw service in the Crimea and in India.

The rear photo shows some current, modern, hanging chains used to display the breastplate on a wall, these can easily be removed if not required.  read more

Code: 25493

A Beautiful Ancient Bronze and Enamel Book Clasp Around 1100 Years Old. From the Era of Anglo Saxon England & The Viking Incursions into Britain Through to The Early Crusades Period

Circa 10th-12th century AD. A stunning and most beautiful antiquity perfect for an antiquarian bibliophile as an example of the rarest of artefacts used to protect valuable volumes illuminated manuscripts and testaments.

A small and most intricate gem from the days of the Anglo Saxon’s and Vikings.

Originally from the Christian Eastern Roman Empire. A bronze tongue-shaped clasp with pelleted border and reserved peacock on an enamelled field. Anglo Saxon to early Norman period. Very fine condition. Two examples in the gallery show a 1000 year old book and a 1000 year old old testament that both had clasps such as this. The Bible is an ancient text. Like every other ancient text, the originals have not survived the ravages of time. What we have are ancient copies of the original which date to hundreds of years after their composition, for example from around 700 AD This is normal for ancient texts. For example, Julius Caesar chronicled his conquest of Gaul in his work On The Gallic War in the first century B.C. The earliest manuscript in existence dates to the 8th century AD, some 900 years later. The oldest biblical text is on the Hinnom Scrolls ? two silver amulets that date to the seventh century B.C. These rolled-up pieces of silver were discovered in 1979-80, during excavations led by Gabriel Barklay in a series of burial caves at Ketef Hinnom. When the silver scrolls were unrolled and translated, they revealed the priestly Benediction from Num 6:24-26 reading, ?May Yahweh bless you and keep you; May Yahweh cause his face to Shine upon you and grant you Peace.?6 The Ketef Hinnom scrolls contain the oldest portion of Scripture ever found outside of the Bible and significantly predate even the earliest Dead Sea Scrolls. They also contain the oldest extra-biblical reference to YHWH. Given their early date, they provide evidence that the books of Moses were not written in the exilic or postexilic period as some critics have suggested.


Richard Lassels, an expatriate Roman Catholic priest, first used the phrase “Grand Tour” in his 1670 book Voyage to Italy, published posthumously in Paris in 1670. In its introduction, Lassels listed four areas in which travel furnished "an accomplished, consummate traveler" with opportunities to experience first hand the intellectual, the social, the ethical, and the political life of the Continent.

The English gentry of the 17th century believed that what a person knew came from the physical stimuli to which he or she has been exposed. Thus, being on-site and seeing famous works of art and history was an all important part of the Grand Tour. So most Grand Tourists spent the majority of their time visiting museums and historic sites.

Once young men began embarking on these journeys, additional guidebooks and tour guides began to appear to meet the needs of the 20-something male and female travelers and their tutors traveling a standard European itinerary. They carried letters of reference and introduction with them as they departed from southern England, enabling them to access money and invitations along the way.

With nearly unlimited funds, aristocratic connections and months or years to roam, these wealthy young tourists commissioned paintings, perfected their language skills and mingled with the upper crust of the Continent.

The wealthy believed the primary value of the Grand Tour lay in the exposure both to classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent. In addition, it provided the only opportunity to view specific works of art, and possibly the only chance to hear certain music. A Grand Tour could last from several months to several years. The youthful Grand Tourists usually traveled in the company of a Cicerone, a knowledgeable guide or tutor.

The ‘Grand Tour’ era of classical acquisitions from history existed up to around the 1850’s, and extended around the whole of Europe, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and the Holy Land. The book clasp is 10.4 grams, 38mm (1 1/2" inches long)

The dirt from the rear surface of the object was removed manually using a scalpel under magnification. Care was taken not to dislodge the powdery, corroding surface. With all hand conservation if the surface is in particularly sensitive condition the dirt was left in situ  read more

Code: 22940

Ancient Roman Gladiator's Aes Corinthiacum Bronze Ring, Of A Colosseum Barbary Lion Late Old Republic Era To Early Empire Period. Over 2000 Years Old. Made & Used From the Reigns of Julius Caeser to Emperor Trajan

Over 2000 years old. Unusually it is a good wearable size. UK size R

*Corinthian bronze, also named Corinthian brass or aes Corinthiacum, was a metal alloy in classical antiquity. It is thought to be an alloy of copper with gold or silver (or both), although it has also been contended that it was simply a very high grade of bronze, or a kind of bronze that was manufactured in Corinth.

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. Gladiators rings would be intaglio engraved depicting the exotic and fearsome beasts they fought, such as Lions, Tigers, Bears, Rhinocerous or even Sharks in giant water tanks complete with ships, or, armoured gladiators in combat. Could one imagine simply the logistics of transporting live sharks from the sea into the middle of Rome, it is simply astounding.

Julius Caesar (though he was never officially an emperor, he held the title of dictator perpetuo and is often considered the precursor to the imperial system)
The Julian Dynasty
Augustus (also known as Octavian, he was the first official emperor, reigning from 27 BC to AD 14)
Tiberius (reigned from AD 14 to 37)
Caligula (reigned from AD 37 to 41)
Claudius (reigned from AD 41 to 54)
Nero (reigned from AD 54 to 68)
The year of the 4 emperors, preceded by reign dates.
June 68 - Jan 69: Galba
Jan 69 - Apr 69: Otho
Apr 69 - Dec 69: Vitellius

The Flavian Dynasty
69 - 79: Vespasian
79 - 81: Titus
81 - 96: Domitian

The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty
96 - 98: Nerva
98 - 117 a.d.: Trajan

The Gladiators from Caeser to Trajan
In 65 BC, newly elected curule aedile Julius Caesar held games that he justified as munus to his father, who had been dead for 20 years. Despite an already enormous personal debt, he used 320 gladiator pairs in silvered armour. He had more available in Capua but the senate, mindful of the recent Spartacus revolt and fearful of Caesar's burgeoning private armies and rising popularity, imposed a limit of 320 pairs as the maximum number of gladiators any citizen could keep in Rome. Caesar's showmanship was unprecedented in scale and expense; he had staged a munus as memorial rather than funeral rite, eroding any practical or meaningful distinction between munus and ludi.

Gladiatorial games, usually linked with beast shows, spread throughout the republic and beyond. Anti-corruption laws of 65 and 63 BC attempted but failed to curb the political usefulness of the games to their sponsors. Following Caesar's assassination and the Roman Civil War, Augustus assumed imperial authority over the games, including munera, and formalised their provision as a civic and religious duty. His revision of sumptuary law capped private and public expenditure on munera, claiming to save the Roman elite from the bankruptcies they would otherwise suffer, and restricting gladiator munera to the festivals of Saturnalia and Quinquatria. Henceforth, an imperial praetor's official munus was allowed a maximum of 120 gladiators at a ceiling cost of 25,000 denarii; an imperial ludi might cost no less than 180,000 denarii. Throughout the empire, the greatest and most celebrated games would now be identified with the state-sponsored imperial cult, which furthered public recognition, respect and approval for the emperor's divine numen, his laws, and his agents. Between 108 and 109 AD, Trajan celebrated his Dacian victories using a reported 10,000 gladiators and 11,000 animals over 123 days.

*Pliny the Elder distinguished it into three kinds, depending on the metal that is added to the copper base: in the first, gold is added (luteum); in the second, silver (candidum); in the third, gold, silver, and copper are equally blended. Plutarch and Cicero both comment that Corinthian bronze, unlike many other copper alloys, is resistant to tarnishing, and the ring certainly appears to have resisted tarnishing at the bottom two thirds of the intaglio seal engraving.  read more

Code: 25491

A Fabulous & Most Rare British Griffiths ‘Jacob’s Type’ Double Barrel Rifle Carbine, From The Honourable East India Company Era, Into The Dawn of The British Raj. Bespoke Commissioned From Griffiths Circa 1848

The gun is the very inspiration for the famous Military Jacob's Rifle, used by the Scinde Irregular Force, Jacob’s Rifles, in the early 1850's, and this was commissioned for an officer of the regiment.

Apparently experimental versions of the rifle were manufactured for Jacob by George H. Daw, and we are told, Griffiths, who (among others) later advertised these sporting models of the piece. A writer of the period described shooting a gun made on this pattern:
“The recoil is by no means pleasant. Jacob recommended a powder charge of some 2 drams 68 grains of gunpowder! This rifle does not seem to have any advantages at sporting ranges; but for military purposes it has been strongly recommended. Especially in reference to the explosive shells which are used with it.the shells require a short stout barrel, and cannot be used with a long thin one, like the Enfield still, Enfield-style rifles were actually manufactured with Jacob rifling, and seemed relatively popular. For killing large animals, like the elephant or rhinoceros, they are particularly qualified; and I should strongly recommend elephant hunters to examine the merits of this rifle. This rifle was made to accompany the howdah pistol as the big game hunting rifle to be equally at home on foot, on horseback or while standing in a howdah on one's elephant. But also for perfect use in Indian irregular cavalry by gentlemen officers. The brass mounts are superbly engraved throughout, including a Bengal tiger and lion below mount Kilimanjaro, and profuse, highly accomplished decorative scrolling.

This is a finest gentleman's hand made double rifle, circa 1848, made by Griffiths of England, it is also bearing Queen Victoria's crown mark to both locks, which would further indicate government military service. By comparing the Jacob's Rifle by photograph, to this fine rifle alongside each other, one can easily see where the inspiration came from. This gun also bears influences from the design of the earlier British military Baker and contemporary Brunswick rifles, with a near identical patchbox arrangement to Jacobs rifles but rectangular.

The Jacob's rifle was designed by General Jacobs of the Honourable East India Co. who was so admired and respected by all who knew him, for his intelligence and skill of command, he had a city named after him, in modern day Pakistan, called Jacobabad. He had spent 25 years improving rifled firearms, carrying on experiments unrivalled even by public bodies. A range of 200 yards sufficed in cantonments, but at Jacobabad he had to go into the desert to set up butts at a range of 2000 yards. He went for a four grooved rifle and had numerous experimental guns manufactured in London by the leading gunsmith George Daw and completely at his expense. Jacob, like Joseph Whitworth, was renowned not only as a soldier but as a mathematician, and his rifle was as unconventional as its designer. Rather than using a small .45 caliber bore Jacob stayed with more conventional .57-58 caliber (Bill Adams theorizes that this would allow use of standard service ammo in a pinch). In any case his rifle used four deep grooves and a conical bullet with corresponding lugs. Though unusual the Jacob?s rifle, precision made in London by master gunsmiths like George Daw, quickly gained a reputation for accuracy at extended ranges. They appealed in in particular to wealthy aristocratic scientists like Lord Kelvin, who swore by his. Jacob wanted to build a cannon on the same pattern, but died early at age 45.
A few Jacob’s were used during the American Civil War, and those were privately owned, usually by men able to afford the best. There is one account of one of Berdan’s men using one (the chaplain, Lorenzo Barber), who kept one barrel of his double rifle loaded with buckshot and the other with ball.

Jacob's Rifles was a regiment founded by Brigadier John Jacob CB in 1858. Better known as the commandant of the Sind Horse and Jacob's Horse, and the founder of Jacobabad, the regiment of rifles he founded soon gained an excellent reputation. It became after partition part of the Pakistani Army, whereas Jacob's Horse was assigned to the Indian Army. A number of his relatives and descendants served in the Regiment, notably Field Marshal Sir Claud Jacob, Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob and Brigadier Arthur Legrand Jacob, Claud's brother. As commander of the Scinde Irregular Horse, Jacob had become increasingly frustrated with the inferior weapons issued to his Indian cavalrymen. Being a wealthy man, he spent many years and much money on developing the perfect weapon for his 'sowars'. He eventually produced the rifle that bears his name. It could be sighted to 2000 yards (1 830m), and fire explosive bullets designed to destroy artillery limbers. It also sported a 30 inch (76,2cm) bayonet based on the Scottish claymore.

Jacob was an opinionated man who chose to ignore changing trends in firearm development, and he adopted a pattern of rifling that was both obsolete and troublesome. Nevertheless, his influence was such that during the Mutiny he was permitted to arm a new regiment with his design of carbine. It was named Jacob's Rifles.

Orders for the manufacture of the carbine and bayonet were placed in Britain, and all was set for its demonstration when Jacob died. In the hope the East India Company would honour the order, production continued for a little over a year. This gun is overall in super condition with excellent action. A most rare and highly desirable gun indeed, a super gentleman and officer's example.

We show in the gallery a photo of a most similar Jacob's military rifle in it's case with accessories to compare the two side by side, this is for comparison information only.
As with all our antique guns no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 20842

A Most Scarce Early 17th century Jamdhar Katari Dagger From the Mountains of Nepal And the Hindu Kush,

An most early and rare Nepalese dagger classified as the Jamdhar Katari. 17th century, and developed as a fighting weapon in the 17th century. With a thin slightly swollen double edged blade 23.5cms long, painted with red devotional designs (sandlewood oil) on one side, iron hilt with swollen grip and slightly down-turned pommel and guard. Tip lacking. GC
For reference see Egerton Nos. 344 and 345 for similar.

Another very similar Jamdha Katari is in The Met Collection Fifth Ave. New York, [Accession Number:36.25.820] Donated to The Met by the legendary George Cameron Stone [Author of the seminal work A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times, known as 'Stone's Glossary'] in 1935.

It was regarding another most similar example we had, about which Mark Hawkins engaged in a most interesting conversation with the now late US President Ronald Reagan [in the 1970's]. President Reagan displayed a knowledge of this particular weapon, in his conversation with Mark, that was surprisingly extensive and certainly impressive.  read more

Code: 22528

A Stunning & Beautiful Edo Period Tachi-kake, Japanese Samurai Sword Stand Okuyama Family, 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. Shown holding our 600 year old ‘golden dragon’ tachi [code number 22660] 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 Beautiful & Stunning Edo Period Tetsu Round Tsuba Of a Bat Flying in Rain Over Turbulant Seas.

The reverse is a willow carved in sunken relief, all upon a russet ground. somewhat reminiscent of the work my master Kenzui,

In Japanese folklore, bats are often associated with good luck and prosperity. One popular folktale is the story of "Bakeneko," a mythical creature resembling a cat with bat-like features. Bakeneko is believed to bring blessings and protection to households, particularly during times of hardship.

In the context of kimono designs, the depiction of bats holds specific symbolism. Bats are often featured alongside other auspicious motifs such as the pine, bamboo, and plum—traditional symbols of longevity, resilience, and prosperity. When bats are included in these designs, they reinforce the notion of good fortune and longevity, making them popular motifs for celebratory occasions such as weddings and New Year's festivities.

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan underwent significant cultural and societal transformations. Bats continued to be prominent symbols during this era, often depicted in art and textiles as representations of prosperity and modernisation. As Japan embraced Western influences and embarked on industrialisation, the symbolism of bats evolved to reflect aspirations for economic growth and social advancement. Bats were frequently incorporated into decorative arts, such as ceramics and textiles, to convey wishes for prosperity and success in the changing landscape of Meiji Japan.

72mm  read more

Code: 25480

Superb Tsuba Signed Choshu Koku Hagi ju Kawaji Go {no} Ju Tomochika. A Retainer of The Mori Daimyo

The westerly province of Chōshū (Nagato) was the home of eight or more important families engaged in making sword-furniture, of whom the parent was the Nakai group, originally established in the neighbouring province of Suō. The indication “of Hagi” (Hagi no jū), so frequently added to the signatures on Chōshū work, may not perhaps in all cases imply the artist’s actual residence at the Nagato capital.

The early work was influenced by Umetada Miōju (Group XI), who spent some time at the Suō capital, Yamaguchi, as well as by members of the Shōami group (XII); thus, examples by the Nakai often show incrustation of the softer metals on the iron ground. Chōshū guards are usually in iron of a rich black patina, with sharp, powerful and carefully modelled relief, either solid or perforated. There may be a sparing enrichment of gold, but this is unusual.

After the Tokugawa family had reconstituted Japan’s central government in 1603, the head of the Mōri family became the daimyo, or feudal lord, of Chōshū, the han (fief) that encompassed most of the western Honshu region. Although the Tokugawa tolerated the existence of the Mōri in Chōshū, the two clans remained hostile toward each other. Chōshū warriors played the leading role in the overthrow of the Tokugawa government in 1867, after which Chōshū men dominated the new government until the end of World War II. Nevertheless, throughout the Tokugawa period (1603–1867) the Mōri family indoctrinated their warriors with hatred of the Tokugawa family and respect for the emperor, whose power the Tokugawa usurped. When Chōshū warriors led the fight to overthrow the Tokugawa in 1867, they did so under the banner of restoring power to the emperor.

74mm  read more

Code: 25489