"Colichemarde" Smallsword

Artist John Robins (British, active 1771–1831)

Date1771–1775

Mediumsteel, brass, silver, wood and gilding

Dimensions96.5 × 79.4 cm (38 × 31 1/4 in.), 1 lb (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Markings(On reverse of knuckle-guard) "I R" within a rectangle; lion or leopard passant mark; indecipherable traces of two more stamped marks. (Reverse of blade, near hilt) "I(or J)O/RB/CO/HMO" etched script.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.326

DescriptionAcutely tapering, steel colichemarde blade of hollow triangular section, forte etched with strapwork-filled cartouche with scrolling foliation at ends.

Silver-gilt cast brass hilt (Norman's type 112), with bivalve shell having strong rim on both faces. Filled with rococo shells & strapwork, bears, dogs, birds & lions. Stool is tall, with baggy sleeve, & rests on rectangular base having mitred faces. Large, thin arms of the hilt, emanating from the mouths of dog heads at the cross. Short rear quillon with dog-head terminal, opposed by tall knuckle guard swollen at center where decorated with rococo radiating flutes & scrolls. Scrolled upper terminal plugs into the basal side of pommel (Norman's type 88). This is egg-shaped, narrowed to necked base, & of near-circular section, with large, balustered integral button.

Decoration of pommel en suite with shell. Grip, possibly restored, is of wood, tapers to ends, & wrapped in 3 types of silver wire. There are no "Turk's heads."
ProvenanceUnnamed private English collection. Purchased from Peter Finer on 25 April 1997, as part of group including HAM# 1997.03.2. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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