Lot 687

Previous image preload Next image preload

A honor saber from the property of Grand Duke Michail Pavlovich Romanov, dating: second quarter of the 19th Century
provenance: Russia
Beautiful, curved, single -and false-edged blade, both edges thickened, with "T"-back, blued at the forte; at the rear face the engraved monogram "A I" (standing for tzar Alexander I) surrounded by a crown of laurel and a trophy, all surmounted by the effigy of the imperial eagle. Following the engraving, various cartouches featuring name and date of each battle carried by the Russian Imperial Guard against Napoleon; starting from the tip, year "1812" surmounted by the imperial eagle, the Battle of Borodino (6th of October), of Tarutino (6th of October), Maloyaroslavets (12th of October), Viazma (22nd of October), Krasnoj (5-6th of November), Minsk (6th of November), Beresina (13th of November), K¸nigsberg (24th of November); followed by "1813" with battles of Berlin (20th of february), Dresden (9th of March), Beleig (15th of August), Kulm (18th of August), Leipzig (4-5-6th of October), Gda?sk (21st of december); then "1814" with Briesch (20-21st of January), Bar-sur Ob (15th of February), Laon (25th of February), La Fere-Champenoise (13th of March), Paris (19th of March). The front face decorated with trophy of arms engraved at the forte, a raiser at the centre and floral motifs. At the back of the blade the name of "Zlatoust" famous arms factory and engravings depicting floral motifs and spirals. Bronze hilt in the style of the AN XI French one, keeping 70% of the original gilding; guard with two loops, both deeply engraved with the same inscription in Cyrillic in italics, with writing "Of valor"; at the front langet the golden insignia of the Order of Saint Anne with red enamels (parts missing). Twisted, gilt bronze grip. Iron scabbard with remains of gilding; at the front surface, between two bands, the inscription with dedication closing with date 9th of December 1833 (December 22nd according to the new calendar), day of delivery of the sword. The writing is only partially preserved and legible, the first line, almost cancelled, probably featured the motivation, the remaining content goes almost like this "...from the Tzar to the Grand Prince Michail Pavlovi?. December 9th 1833".Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia (St. Petersburg, 8 February 1798 ¹ Warsaw, 8 September 1849) was younger brother of Alexander I and Nicholas I, and grandson of Frederick II and Catherine the Great. In 1824 he married Princess Charlotte of W│rttemberg, they had six children. He commanded the Imperial Russian Guard during the Polish revolution of 1831.
We have knowledge of two blades similar to the one presented, one of them is kept in the Military Museum of Prague and widely described in Eduard Wagner's volume "Cut & Trust Weapons (pagg. 453-456); the other is showed in "Russian Military Swords 1801-1917" by Eugen Mollo. The mentioned weapons are both a 1809 model, very similar to the one presented here which is probably subsequent. It seems that Alexander I commissioned this saber to commemorate Napoleon's defeat (it was definitely manufactured before 1825, otherwise it would show Nicholas I initials). The date reminds of 1831 campaign against Polish revolutionaries when Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich commanded the Imperial Guard. This weapon was very likely given on the occasion of this feat.
In 1975 the sabre was purchased, for more then 50 years it was part of a private collection; probably given by a member of Romanov family after Russian Imperial Family escapes in 1918.
Bibliography: see "Diana Armi", Cesare Calamandrei's article "1831/1918 una sciabola tra due Rivoluzioni".
dimensions: length 102.5 cm.

    Condition:
  • Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Czerny's International Auction House have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effect of aging.
    For detailed condition reports or further info about the lots:
    [email protected]

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Czerny's provide shipping service for this auction, at buyer's expenses.
Please be aware that delivery time for purchases shipped by our premises is approximately six weeks from receipt of payment. In case of lots considered arms for Italian law, we need an official permit from the local bureau before sending the items.

by Czerny's International Auction House
November 18, 2012 2:00 PM CET
Piazza V. Veneto, 17 - 19
Sarzana (SP), Italy 19038

Czerny's International Auction House

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27.83% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
€0 €999 €25
€1,000 €2,499 €100
€2,500 €4,999 €250
€5,000 €9,999 €500
€10,000 €19,999 €1,000
€20,000 €49,999 €2,500
€50,000 €99,999 €5,000
€100,000 + €10,000