A Wondrous Quality 18th Century Gilt Bronze Hilted Royal Naval Officers Sword of Hunting Hanger Form

Due to its superlative quality it was likely formerly the the property of a duke, prince, or an aristocrat of the highest status. It is also very similar to the the Walpole-Suckling Hunting Hanger Sword believed Carried by Capt. Horatio Nelson, sold by Sotheby's special treasures sale in 2003, see photo 10 in the gallery.

Originally intended for use in the boar or stag hunt, but most usually used in the early part of the 18th century by British senior officers in the Royal Navy. There are many portraits of Queen Anne period Naval admirals and the like carrying their hunting swords while in service aboard ship, as it was the perfect size for close combat use, aboard a well and profusely rigged man o’ war.
In the gallery is a portrait of Admiral Benbow holding his very similar hunting sword, another of Admiral George Churchill with his same sword, and once again with his same hunting sword Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovell.

In the seminal works, 'Swords for Sea Service' by May and Annis, shown in photographed plates 80 and 81, are two other 18th century hunting swords used by noted naval officer's, one by Galfridus Walpole, said to have been used by Nelson and the other sword of Admiral Don Francisco Xavier Winthuysen, that was surrendered to Commodore Nelson at the Battle of St Vincent in 1797

Finest gilt bronze hilt engraved and cast throughout of scenes of hunts. With sharkskin grip, cast repousse decorated shell guard, knuckle bow and pommel, decorated with full relief very finely engraved blade with hunting scenes of wild boar. The wild boar is the ancestral species of the domestic pig. It is native across much of Central Europe
Unlike the Romans for whom hunting boar was considered a simple pastime, the hunting of boars in Medieval Europe was mostly done by nobles for the purpose of honing martial skill. It was traditional for the noble to dismount his horse once the boar was cornered and to finish it with a dagger. To increase the challenge, some hunters would commence their sport at the boars mating season, when the animals were more aggressive. Records show that wild boar were abundant in medieval Europe. A charging boar is considered exceptionally dangerous quarry, due to its thick hide and dense bones, making anything less than a kill shot a potentially deadly mistake. Hunting dogs have been used to hunt boar since ancient times. Boar hunting dogs are loosely divided into two categories, bay dogs, and catch dogs.
Bay dogs harass and harry the boar, keeping it cornered in one place and barking loudly. This behaviour is known as "baying" or keeping the boar "at bay". The bay dogs' barking alerts the hunters to the bay, so that the hunter may catch up and kill the boar.the clergy demanding tribute from commoners in the form of boar carcasses or body parts. In 1015 for example, the doge Ottone Orseolo demanded for himself and his successors the head and feet of every boar killed in his area of influence.

In this period, because of the lack of efficient weapons such as guns, the hunting of boars required a high amount of courage, and even the French king Philip IV died from falling off his horse when charged by a boar.

The sword is in fine condition for its age. It lacks the small quillon end  read more

Code: 21041

A Simply Fabulous Samurai's Loyalty, Ritual-Exchange, Wine Bowl, A Sakazuki of Hiramaki-e Pure Gold Lacquer. Signed Yoyusai (1772-1845)

A Sakazuki cup, a footed Circular Wine Cup of pure gold lacquer signed Hira Yoyusai decorated with the symbols of the highest ranking samurai, an Imperial court cap, a pole arm and General's war fan. Sakazuki is a ritual of exchanging sake cups as a means of pledging loyalty. The word itself refers to ceremonial cups used on special occasions like weddings, tea ceremonies, etc. There are currently two known versions of the sakazuki ritual.
Worthy of any museum grade collection of the finest Japanese Ob'ject D'art. Edo period (19th century), signed Yoyusai (1772-1845). A footed, circular cup of pure gold lacquer in gold hiramaki-e on fundame ground. Decorated with an Imperial court cap, a war fan, a pole arm and a tied sack. Likely commissioned for a notable of the highest rank, such as a daimyo lord or member of the Japanese nobility. In the period Kwansei, 1789 to 1801 C.E., Koma Kwansai, Inouye Hakusai, and Hara Yoyusai were the most famous artists, the first of whom was foremost in the delicacy of his work, but was comparatively unknown. Nakayama Komin was a distinguished lacquerer who worked in Edo and learnt the art from Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845). Yoyusai and other 19th-century lacquer artists including Koma Kansai and Zeshin, Nakayama Komin turned to famous early masterpieces of Japanese lacquer for inspiration. A superbly executed piece of finest artwork, showing remarkable skill for the minutest detail. Hiramaki-e, in Japanese lacquerwork, gold decoration in low, or flat, relief, a basic form of maki-e. The pattern is first outlined on a sheet of paper with brush and ink. It is then traced on the reverse side of the paper with a mixture of heated wet lacquer and (usually red) pigment. The artist transfers the pattern directly to the desired surface by rubbing with the fingertips, a process called okime. In the next step (jigaki), the pattern that has been transferred is painted over with lacquer usually a reddish colour. A dusting tube is used to sprinkle gold powder on the painted design while the lacquer is still wet. When the lacquer is dry, superfluous gold powder is dusted off, and a layer of clear lacquer is applied over the gold-covered design. When dry, it is polished with powdered charcoal. A second layer of lacquer is added, allowed to dry, and given a fingertip polish with a mixture of linseed oil and finely powdered mudstone.

The hiramaki-e technique, which dates from the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was preceded by togidashi maki-e, a technique in which not only the design but the whole surface is covered with clear lacquer after the sprinkling of metal powder; the lacquer is then polished down to reveal the design. During the Kamakura (1192-1333) and Muromachi (1338-1573) periods, hiramaki-e tended to be overshadowed by takamaki-e (gold or silver decoration in bold relief). It came fully into its own only in comparatively modern times. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1574-1600), hiramaki-e artists often left the sprinkled gold powder unpolished in a technique called maki-hanashi (left as sprinkled). A very beautiful piece by the master or an homage to Yoyusai bearing his name.

5" diameter across 1.33 inches high

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: 22989

Aircrew Europe Six Medal Group, With Africa Star and 1942-43 Bar, 13th Squadron Observer, Operation Jubilee, 19/8/1942, the Dieppe Raids, One of the Top Five Most Secret Operations of WW2 with His Observer Wing {x 2} Dog Tags, Cap Badge & Silver O Wing

Of Sgt F.H. Westbrook -(Observer-13 Sqn)-

Operation Jubilee or the Dieppe Raid (19 August 1942) was an Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in northern France, during the Second World War.

For over 60 years it has been thought by many of the world's historians that it was a foolhardy raid, with extraordinarily optimistic intentions, that failed, costing thousands of lives, numerous aircraft and ships, possibly, pointlessly .

In truth, it was in fact, one of the most top, top, top secret operations of the entire war. The whole event was an operation to capture for Bletchley Park a new, ultra top secret 4 rota enigma machine, kept in a German HQ safe, containing the new upgraded German enigma machine, plus several months worth of future German codes and cyphers. Even the special forces commanders of the raid where kept completely in the dark, and barely a dozen highest level top intelligence officers had even the remotest clue as its intentions. It was meant to look like a rehearsal for an allied invasion, so the German High Command wouldn't have the remotest clue as to its main objective. Thousands of allied soldiers died, not in vain as has been thought, but in order to, potentially, save hundreds of thousands of lives.

Over 6,050 infantry, predominantly Canadian, supported by a regiment of tanks, were put ashore from a naval force operating under protection of Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters.

The port was to be captured and held for a short period, allegedly to test the feasibility of a landing, and to gather intelligence on German coastal defences, port structures, and important buildings were to be demolished. The raid was intended as a boost for Allied morale, and to demonstrate the commitment of the United Kingdom to re-open the Western Front and support the Soviet Union, fighting on the Eastern Front. Little did anyone know for the past 60 years, just how important this raid truly was, it was in fact an incredibly costly diversion to hide an 'ultra' top secret operation.

Aerial and naval support was insufficient to enable the ground forces to achieve their objectives; the tanks were trapped on the beach and the infantry was largely prevented from entering the town by obstacles and German fire. After less than six hours, mounting casualties forced a retreat. The operation was a fiasco in which only one landing force achieved its objective and some intelligence was gathered (including electronic intelligence).

Within ten hours, 3,623 of the 6,086 men who landed had been killed, wounded or became prisoners of war. The Luftwaffe made a maximum effort against the landing as the RAF had expected, but the RAF lost 106 aircraft (at least 32 to anti-aircraft fire or accidents) against 48 German losses. The Royal Navy lost 33 landing craft and a destroyer.

Both sides learned important lessons regarding coastal assaults. The Allies learned lessons that influenced the success of the D-Day landings. Artificial harbours were declared crucial, tanks were adapted specifically for beaches, a new integrated tactical air force strengthened ground support, and capturing a major port at the outset was no longer seen as a priority. Churchill and Mountbatten both claimed that these lessons had outweighed the cost. The Germans also believed that Dieppe was a learning experience and made a considerable effort to improve the way they defended the occupied coastlines of Europe.

Fighter Command claimed to have inflicted many losses on the Luftwaffe for an RAF loss of 106 aircraft, 88 fighters (including 44 Spitfires), 10 reconnaissance aircraft and eight bombers; 14 other RAF aircraft were struck off charge from other causes such as accidents. Other sources suggest that up to 28 bombers were lost and that the figure for destroyed and damaged Spitfires was 70. The Luftwaffe suffered 48 aircraft losses, 28 bombers, half of them Dornier Do 217s from KG 2; JG 2 lost 14 Fw 190s and eight pilots killed, JG 26 lost six Fw 190s with their pilots. The RAF lost 91 aircraft shot down and 64 pilots; 47 killed and 17 taken prisoner, the RCAF lost 14 aircraft and nine pilots and 2 Group lost six bombers. Leigh-Mallory considered the losses "remarkably light in view of the number of Squadrons taking part and the intensity of the fighting" noting that the tactical reconnaissance suffered heaviest with about two casualties per squadron. The Luftwaffe in France was back to full strength within days of the raid. Copp wrote that Dieppe failed to inflict the knockout blow against the Luftwaffe that the RAF sought. Although the Allies continued to lose on average two aircraft for every one German aircraft destroyed for the rest of 1942, the output of fighters by the United States, Britain and Canada combined with better Allied pilot training, led to the Luftwaffe gradually losing the war of attrition in the skies above France. Copp concluded that: "The battle for air superiority was won on many fronts by continuous effort and August 19, 1942 was part of that achievement". The Forward Air Controller, Air Commodore Adrian Cole, was injured when Calpe was attacked and was awarded the DSO for gallantry. Of course Copp had no idea as to the real objective of the raid

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: 24973

18th Century Ching Dynasty Chinese Matchlock Musket Powder Flask. Qianlong {aka Chien-lung} Period

Leather covered wood with iron spout. Wooden slide at the base of the spout for opening and closing the flask to release. Very scarce to find, somewhat crude in its manufacture but typical of the time and the region within which it was used in the North West province of China and the mountains of Tibet. Somewhat similar to examples from the old Ottoman Empire, but their versions tended to have leather tooling decor. How or why the two regional types were so similar is unknown, although possibly via the *Silk Road route. Which had been the origin of trade between the East and the West for almost 2000 years

Qianlong {aka Chien lung period}, used until the Boxer Rebellion. Most likely brought back to England by a British soldier that either served in the Opium War, or defended the legations at the siege in Peking.

China pioneered the use of gunpowder for fireworks and artillery in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Sophisticated firearms technology, however, developed more rapidly in Europe during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and was then introduced into China by merchants, diplomats, and missionaries during the seventeenth century. Improved designs for cannons and practical types of hand-held guns were eagerly promoted and officially adopted as regulation military equipment under the Qing emperors Kangxi (reigned 1662–1722) and Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795). In addition to mastering the use of bow and arrow and other weapons, both Kangxi and Qianlong owned and used guns, particularly for hunting. This was in keeping with their overall belief in the importance of martial training, which they encouraged by personal example.

Thomas Child spent from 1870 to 1889 in Beijing, and John Thompson traveled in northern China from circa 1869 to 1872. By this time period, observers noticed that soldiers were often equipped with older, antique guns. I tend to date this type to circa 1720 to the 1750’s.

The Qing dynasty (English pronunciation; Ching), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China (1636–1912) and the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history.
It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speaking ethnic group who unified other Jurchen tribes to form a new "Manchu" ethnic identity. The dynasty was officially proclaimed in 1636 in Manchuria (modern-day Northeast China and Russian Manchuria). It seized control of Beijing in 1644, then later expanded its rule over the whole of China proper and Taiwan, and finally expanded into Inner Asia. The dynasty lasted until 1912 when it was overthrown in the Xinhai Revolution. In Chinese historiography, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The multiethnic Qing dynasty lasted for almost three centuries and assembled the territorial base for modern China. It was the largest imperial dynasty in the history of China and in 1790 the fourth-largest empire in world history in terms of territorial size. With 419,264,000 citizens in 1907, it was the most populous country in the world at the time.

*Silk Road, ancient trade route, linking China with the West, that carried goods and ideas between the two great civilizations of Rome and China. Silk went westward, and wools, gold, and silver went east. China also received Nestorian Christianity and Buddhism (from India) via the Silk Road. See image 6 in the gallery. The road inspired cellist Yo-Yo Ma to found the Silk Road Project in 1999, which explored cultural traditions along its route and beyond as a means for connecting arts worldwide across cultures.  read more

Code: 21273

French Very Fine & Most Rare 18th Century Lanthorn Powder-Flask Attributed To Nicolas Noel Boutet

A rare 18th century French flask with a most unusual fold-down nozzle system. With a large, rounded lanthorn body, flattened on the back, with shaped top mount and folding swelling nozzle, reeded brass medial mount, and rings for suspension. For an almost identical example, mounted in silver, see Herbert G. Houze, The Sumptuous Flaske, 1989, pp. 116-117 (illustrated). We also show in the gallery a cased set of the worlds finest flintlock pistols and fowling piece complete with tools and an identical lanthorn flask made by Nicolas Noel Boutet, possibly for Napoleon. This fabulous set is in the Met in New York. We acquired a most similar set, also by Nicolas Noel Boutet, around 50 years ago, that cased set came from a castle in Czechoslovakia, and was commissioned from Boutet for a Prince, that set also had an identical lanthorn flask. Today Iit would likely be approaching a value of a million dollars. Nicolas Noel Boutet was one of the world's greatest gunsmiths, if not The worlds greatest gunsmith, and he made guns for most of the crowned heads of Europe, including Napoleon Bonaparte. He was based at the Imperial Armoury at Versailles. Lanthorn is a transluscent form of ox horn used in the earliest days to make window panes or lanterns. It was the earliest known material for the ingress of light into a room from daylight. In fact the word lantern is a derivative form of lanthorn itself. With lanthorn panes a lantern could be created with a candle to create a portable light and protect the flame from wind. Here are some early instructions as to how it was made; Take the lightest, translucent, hollow portion of an ox or steer horn (these being the thinnest)
Soak this in water for a month
Saw it, split it and press it into plates
Take a short, edge bladed round nosed knive called a "lift" and use it to delaminate the layers (Purportedly up to 12 layers can be gotten from a thick horn).
The Horn may be clarified by coating both sides with tallow, and pressing it between hot irons, thinning it further.
The finished leaves are scraped with steel scrapers, buffed on a polishing wheel, then slightly moistened with vinager and a buffing compound, finally being polished by a buffing compound applied by the palm of the hand (historically the horns were buffed with charcoal and water applied with part of an old beaver hat - the final polish being given by wood ashes applied with the hand). Boutet made several forms of lanthorn flask as its translucent property enable the owner to determine how much powder the flask contained at a glance if held to the light and its resistance to denting was an advantage over copper. A most similar attributed to Boutet flask sold in Butterfield and Butterfield Auction House in San Francisco in 1994 estimated at 1,500 to 2,500 dollars. Minor early crack to the lanthorn body  read more

Code: 22557

A Superb British, Original, Regimental Edwardian Service Helmet. of The West Yorkshire Regiment. Blue Cloth with Gold Badge, Fittings, Spike, & Rose Head Curb Chain Mounts and Chin Chain

In excellent all original condition for age. Blue cloth with all gilt ornamentation, and service issue stamps to the interior.
The British Army’s Home Service Helmet was introduced in 1878. It was of a German influence and would replace a long line of shakos going back to the days of the Peninsular War and Waterloo. In blue cloth, sometimes green, sometime grey, sometimes with a spike, sometimes with a ball, the stiff cork headdress would become a common site on parade grounds throughout Britain for more than thirty years. Most Regular Army regiments and corps took to the helmet, as did their Militia, Volunteer and Territorial counterparts.
With the new headdress came the helmet plate, those highly desirable items of militaria much sought after today by collectors. Large, star-shaped mostly and displaying both ancient and new regimental devices, brightly they shone in their silvers, gilts, gilding and white metals, covering almost the entire front of the headdress as they did so.

The British Army during the Victorian era served through a period of great technological and social change. Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, and died in 1901. Her long reign was marked by the steady expansion and consolidation of the British Empire, rapid industrialisation and the enactment of liberal reforms by both Liberal and Conservative governments within Britain.

The British Army began the period with few differences from the British Army of the Napoleonic Wars that won at Waterloo. There were three main periods of the Army's development during the era. From the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the mid-1850s, the Duke of Wellington and his successors attempted to maintain its organisation and tactics as they had been in 1815, with only minor changes. In 1854, the Crimean War, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857 highlighted the shortcomings of the Army, but entrenched interests prevented major reforms from taking place. From 1868 to 1881, sweeping changes were made by Liberal governments, giving it the broad structure it retained until 1914.

Upon Victoria's death, the Army was still engaged in the Second Boer War, but other than expedients adopted for that war, it was recognisably the army that would enter the First World War. The Industrial Revolution had changed its weapons, transport and equipment, and social changes such as better education had prompted changes to the terms of service and outlook of many soldiers. Nevertheless, it retained many features inherited from the Duke of Wellington's army, and since its prime function was to maintain an empire which covered almost a quarter of the globe, it differed in many ways from the conscripted armies of continental Europe.

The disciplinary system was not notably more harsh than the contemporary civil Penal System, although soldiers stood less chance of severe penalties being commuted. The death sentence could apply for crimes such as mutiny or striking an officer, but was generally reserved for actions that were capital crimes in common law, such as murder. Minor infractions could be summarily punished with extra duties or stoppages of pay, but flogging remained a punishment for many offences, including minor offences, on the discretion of a court martial. A court martial could be held at regimental level (which might well be influenced by the attitude of the colonel or other senior officers), or district level where convenient, or a General Court Martial might be convened under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief for serious matters or offences involving officers.

The maximum number of strokes inflicted on a soldier sentenced to flogging (which had been a barbaric 2,000 in 1782, essentially a death sentence for nearly any man) was reduced to 300 in 1829, and then to 50 in 1847. Some regiments nevertheless rejoiced in the nicknames of the "bloodybacks" if they were notorious for the number of floggings ordered.

Only a small portion of soldiers were permitted to marry. Soldiers' wives and children shared their barracks, with only blankets slung over a line for privacy. Wives often performed services such as laundry for their husbands' companies or barracks. A particularly cruel feature of the Army's practices was that fewer soldiers' wives were allowed to accompany a unit overseas (one per eight cavalrymen or twelve infantrymen) than were permitted when serving at home. Those wives not chosen by lot to accompany the unit when it embarked were forcibly separated from their husbands, for years or for life.

Soldiers' pay was nominally one shilling per day, but this was decreased by "stoppages" of up to sixpence (half a shilling) for their daily rations, and other stoppages for the issue of replacement clothing, damages, medical services and so on. In 1847, it was laid down that a soldier must receive at least one penny per day, regardless of all stoppages. A privileged life indeed.  read more

Code: 25418

A Most Fine Victorian Scottish Military Horsehair Sporran with Silver Cantle and Tassels

A Scottish Victorian military horsehair sporran, with ball finials, and the shaped arched silver cantle and conical tassel mounts are finely engraved with scrolls and dragon, 45cm long overall, maker's mark only, Forsyth Glasgow,19th century .
Since the traditional kilt does not have pockets, the sporran serves as a wallet and container for any other necessary personal items. It is essentially a survival of the common European medieval belt-pouch, superseded elsewhere as clothing came to have pockets, but continuing in the Scottish Highlands because of the lack of these accessories in traditional dress. The sporran hangs below the belt buckle; and much effort is made to match their style and design. The kilt belt buckle can be very ornate, and contain similar motifs to the sporran cantle and the Sgian Dubh. Early sporrans would have been worn suspended from the belt on one or other of the hips, rather than hung from a separate strap in front of the wearer.

When driving a carriage, dancing, playing drums, or engaging in any activity where a heavy pouch might encumber the wearer, the sporran can be turned around the waist to let it hang on the hip in a more casual position. One ball finial lacking  read more

Code: 21453

Fabulous Solid Silver & Enamel, Cigarette Case of Rudyard Kipling’s, Richard Caton Woodville’s and Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Boer War Soldier’s Relief Fund. ‘The Absent Minded Beggar, A Gentleman in Kharki. By Victorian Silversmiths Saunders & Shepherd

This is a unique, stunning and exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver and enamel cigarette case. Made for one of the principles, possibly one of the main instigators of the Boer War Relief Fund Charity, Kipling, Woodville or Sullivan, or Lord Northcliffe or his brother Lord Rothermere, the publishers of the Daily Mail, a fund raised by an appeal started by The Daily Mail.
It has a rectangular form with rounded corners. Just regular Victorian solid silver and fine enamel cigarette cases are very highly prized, and have been incredibly collectable over the past hundred years, and can achieve incredible prices, but this is one of the rarest and most historical examples, made for one of the most successful charitable causes of the Victorian age, that one can find. This fabulous Victorian case has a subtly curved form proffering a comfortable fit in the majority of pockets. The anterior cover of this Victorian case is embellished with an impressive painted enamel panel depicting a British soldier holding a rifle and standing on a rocky hillside, with a blooded bandage around his head and a helmet to his feet.
The enamel decoration is accented with the quote
A Gentleman in Kharki
Importantly, with the engraved word ‘copyright’ to the lower edge. This was a stipulation that only items made specifically for the relief fund could display, to ensure all receive monies went to the fund.
The posterior surface and rounded sides of this cigarette case are plain.
This silver Victorian cigarette case is fitted with a push fit catch, which when released reveals two hinged compartments.This impressive case retains the original gilded interior and two retaining straps.
It was crafted by the Birmingham silversmiths Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings (Frank) Shepherd.
This notable illustration in enamel on the case front, is a representation of Richard Caton Woodville's ‘A Gentleman in Kharki’. This design accompanied the song/poem The Absent-Minded Beggar by Rudyard Kipling, with music composed by Gilbert & Sullivan’s, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and was used in a press release to raise funds for the British soldier in the Boer

"The Absent-Minded Beggar" is an 1899 poem by Rudyard Kipling, set to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan and often accompanied by an illustration of a wounded but defiant British soldier, "A Gentleman in Kharki", by Richard Caton Woodville. The song was written as part of an appeal by the Daily Mail to raise money for soldiers fighting in the Second Boer War and their families. The fund was the first ever such charitable effort for a war.

The chorus of the song exhorted its audience to "pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay– pay– pay!" The patriotic poem and song caused a sensation and were constantly performed throughout the war and beyond. Kipling was offered a knighthood shortly after publication of the poem but declined the honour. Vast numbers of copies of the poem and sheet music were published, and large quantities of related merchandise were sold to aid the charity. The "Absent-Minded Beggar Fund" was an unprecedented success and raised a total of more than £250,000.

The Daily Chronicle wrote that "It has not been often that the greatest of English writers and the greatest of English musicians have joined inspiring words and stirring melody in a song which expresses the heart feelings of the entire nation". Sullivan's manuscript was later auctioned for £500 towards the fund.

The popularity of the poem was such that allusions to it were common. Mark Twain wrote that "The clarion-peal of its lines thrilled the world". By 18 November, less than a month after publication of the poem, "a new patriotic play" was advertised to open the next week, titled The Absent Minded Beggar, or, For Queen and Country. The same month, the Charity Organisation Society called "The Absent-Minded Beggar" the "most prominent figure on the charitable horizon at present." Even a critical book on the conduct of the war, published in 1900, was titled An Absent-Minded War. Kipling was offered a knighthood within a few weeks of publication of the song but declined, as he declined all offers of State honours. Historian Stephen M. Miller wrote in 2007, "Kipling almost single-handedly restored the strong ties between civilians and soldiers and put Britain and its army back together again."

A performance of "The Absent-Minded Beggar March" on 21 July 1900 at The Crystal Palace was Sullivan's last public appearance, and the composer died four months later. "The Absent-Minded Beggar" remained popular throughout the three-year war and for years after the war ended. It became a part of popular culture of the time, with its title becoming a popular phrase and cartoons, postcards and other humorous representations of the character of the absent-minded beggar becoming popular. The song is performed in John Osborne's 1957 play The Entertainer. T. S. Eliot included the poem in his 1941 collection A Choice of Kipling's Verse.

The picture in the gallery is of Rudyard Kipling in his study. Recognised my millions of people around the world as the English composer of the greatest poem ever written, certainly one of the most popular of all poems. ‘If’

Copy and paste below Sir Micheal Caine reading his favourite poem. ‘If’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOgyNfHl1U

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
⁠And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
⁠Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
⁠And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!

Made by Cornelius Saunders & Francis Shepherd
Hallmarked 1899 made in Birmingham, England. 83mm long, 99.5 grams  read more

Code: 21734

A Fabulous Quality & Simply Beautiful Original Victorian Uniform Dolman Tunic of a Captain of the Pembrokeshire Hussars. An Hussar Regiment That Fought With Distinction In The Boer War.

blue cloth with white facings, silver bullion lace and braid trim including pointed ornamental cuffs, Austrian knot devices to back, 17 loops, with plain silver plated buttons to chest, shoulder cords with regimental buttons and 3 embroidered rank stars, white silk lining, pair matching overalls with double silver lace stripe. Good Condition, the lace generally bright overall. The officer who wore this superb uniform served alongside Col Cropper as a fellow Captain of the Pembrokeshire Hussars. As we know not this uniform's officer's name we show with the gallery the details of Col. Croppers distinguished career in the Zulu War and both Boer Wars. Hussar refers to a number of types of light cavalry. This type of cavalry first appeared in the Hungarian army of King Matthias Corvinus. The title and distinctive dress of these horsemen was subsequently widely adopted by light cavalry regiments in European and other armies. The hussars played a prominent role as cavalry in the Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815). As light cavalrymen mounted on fast horses, they would be used to fight skirmish battles and for scouting. Most of the great European powers raised hussar regiments. The armies of France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia had included hussar regiments since the mid-18th century. In the case of Britain, four light dragoon regiments were converted to hussars in 1806-1807.

Hussars were notoriously impetuous, and Napoleon was quoted as stating that he would be surprised for a hussar to live beyond the age of 30, due to their tendency to become reckless in battle, exposing their weaknesses in frontal assaults. The hussars of Napoleon created the tradition of sabrage, the opening of a champagne bottle with a sabre. Moustaches were universally worn by Napoleonic-era hussars; the British hussars were the only moustachioed troops in the British Army leading to their being taunted as being "foreigners", at times.

The French hussar of the Napoleonic period was armed with a brass-hilted sabre, a carbine and sometimes with a brace of pistols, although these were often unavailable. The British hussar was armed with, in addition to his firearms, the 1796-pattern light-cavalry sabre. British hussars also introduced the sabretache (a leather pouch hung from the swordbelt) to the British Army.

An extract from Chapter IX of the Historical Records of the Pembroke Yeomanry
The Pembrokeshire Hussars Yeomen, with the other 3 companies of the Welsh Yeomanry Battalion reached Cape Town on the 6th April, 1900, and were sent to Maitland camp, joining some 3,000 other yeomen, waiting their turn to go to the front. Stellenbosh and Wellington were the next places visited, and after some days of useful drilling the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry were ordered to join the Army at Bloemfontem.

On May 16th the Pembrokeshire and the two Montgomeryshire Companies of the Battalion, some 300 strong moved out to the North-west on a patrolling expedition, and after a week of this returned to Bloemfontein in time for the Queen's birthday parade. The Pembrokeshires. were given the place of honour in the van, and their smart appearance and soldier-like bearing, to quote his words, so pleased General Pretyman that he subsequently had the Yeomanry ranked past him in single file.

On May 27th the Pembrokeshire Squadron was ordered to Smithfield, Orange River Colony, Nos. 2 and 4 Troops being shortly afterwards sent to Rouxville, a small township nearer the Basuto Border, Nos. 1 and 3 Troops remaining at Smithfield under Major Cropper.

Leaving No. 1 Troop behind at Smithfield, under Captain Richardson the remaining three Troops of the Pembrokeshires on July 29th started on a three weeks' "trek," but nothing happened of interest, and after passing through Wepener and Dewetsdorp the company once more found itself at Bloemfontein.

On August 21st the company left by train for Ventersburg Weg, and with one of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Companies, and the Denbighshire Hussars formed part of Colonel White's column. On the 24th the advanced scouts of the column were in touch with the enemy, and next day the Pembrokeshire Yeomen exchanged their first shots with the Boers.

The Pembrokeshire Yeomanry, under Major Cropper, were forming the rearguard of the column which was moving back to Ventersburg, and had dispatched a troop under Lieutenants Jones and Blunt, to burn a farm from which the column had been fired upon.

The attacking troop, however, met with a hot reception, and Lieutenant Jones, whose horse was shot, had a narrow escape, and would have been captured but for the brave conduct of Trooper Atkinson, and Farrier Sergeant Williams, of Lampeter, who rode back to their officer's assistance.

Sergeant Williams, in his gallant act, was killed, and was buried in Ventersburg Cemetery, with the following epitaph on the little cross that marks his grave “Died whilst gallantly attempting to rescue his officer." Trooper Atkinson was recommended for the coveted Victoria Cross, but was only awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

As the Boer Commando, against which Colonel J White's Column was operating had managed to escape, the Yeomanry were entrained for Winburg, and after a reconnaissance had been made against Oliver's Commando in that neighbourhood the Pembrokeshire men were moved to Bloemfontein.

Next the Pembrokes were hurriedly moved to the rescue of Lady brand, White's column being attached to General Bruce-Hamilton's Brigade. After some sharp short skirmishes Ladybrand, with its plucky little garrison of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, was relieved.

One section of the Pembrokes was nearly cut off, and Trooper Atkinson had his horse shot, and was only saved by the gallantry of Sergeant Millett, who brought him out on his horse, covered by the rifles of a few Pembroke Yeomen.

Major Cropper's men assisted in driving a Boer Commando into the hands of General Hunter, and after another attempt to corner a Commando at Doornberg the Pembrokes were engaged in the Bethulie district assisting in re- organising and provisioning the neighbouring towns.

Meanwhile the Troop of the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry left under Captain Ernald Richardson at Rouxville had not been left idle and had been on duty garrisoning Fauresmith, Jagersfontein, and Pitensburg, three towns in a hotbed of Boerdom. At Fauresmith with two companies of HighlandIanders and Lovat's Yeomanry Scouts they were practically in a state of siege for two months. Hertzog's Commando joining the besieging force and here Trooper Stanley Thomas, of the company was killed, and another trooper (Greatorex) finding, on returning from picket duty, that he had left his bandolier outside, coolly clambered over the earthworks to get it. He, of course, drew the enemy's fire on him, and was badly hit.

Trooper Francis of the company made a famous ride with despatches from Fauresmith to Jagersfontein, and after being fired on by both friend and foe delivered his despatches and was rewarded with the rank of Corporal and the Distinguished Service Medal.

Captain Richardson's Troop, after Fauresmith was relieved, saw some active service with the columns in Cape Colony, and lost one or two wounded. The troop forming part of Colonel Hubert's column, and after several fights against Kritzerger eventually joined their squadron.

Major Cropper's three troops now took part in the relief of Phillipolis, and marched 60 miles in 24 hours - the Pembroke men out-distancing the other units of Colonel White's columns, and after rescuing the score of Nesbitt's Horse, who for a fortnight had held out against 600 men, repaired to Springfontein.

Reinforced by a squadron of the London Rough Riders, Colonel White's column moved out from Springfontein to clear the Boers from the line between and Bloemfontein. Three miles out from the town the Rough Riders, who were acting as scouts, were surprised in a narrow nek, and lost one killed and three wounded.

But the Pembrokes and some guns came to the rescue, and the dashing leadership of Major Cropper in the subsequent pursuit, earned the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry the commendation of their Column Commander.

In the early part of November, 1900 the Squadron, still with Colonel White's Column, were operating to the West of the Free State Capital, and had several' hot engagements with Hertzog and Brandt Commandoes, at one of which, with the 16th Lancers, near Aasvogel Kop the Pembroke men specially distinguished themselves.

News was now received that the Boer leader Haasbroek, who was marching down country to join De Wet, was expected to cross the Modder River between the Column and Bloemfontein. A hurried march brought the Column within touch of the Boers just after they had crossed the river, and after a hot fight the Commando was driven back, but not without heavy losses on both sides. The Pembroke Squadron dashing gallantly on this occasion was once more mentioned in despatches.

The Squadron now took part in the big Christmas drive of De Wet, who had close on 4,000 Boers under his command and despite the almost 4,000 Boers under his command and despite the almost perfect trap, De Wet and his men broke through the cordon.

But the chase was not given up, and the British Troops came on his rearguard, and after a hand to hand fight, in which the regular cavalry and Yeomanry specially distinguished themselves, darkness came and stopped the pursuit. The Boers lost 8 killed 33 wounded and 18 prisoners, and a large number of horses.

General Knox, the British Commander, followed De Wet right up the East side of the Orange Free State, occasionally hastening his movements with a few shells or a sharp skirmish. In all these latter fights the Pembroke Yeomen bore their part.

At Hammonia near Ficksburg a very stiff fight with the Boers took place. The enemy had surprised the Denbighshire Hussars, who were acting as an advance guard, and the Pembroke and Montgomeryshire Yeomanry were ordered up, and eventually drove the Boers off, clearing the ridge with their hot and sharp fire.

The company still in pursuit of De Wet spent its Christmas Day at Kaffir Kop, but hardly had the Christmas dinner been finished than scouts rode in to say that De Wet had again given the Troops the slip. On January 1st, 1901, the Pembrokes were again hot on De Wet's trail, and on the 3rd. at Kaffir Kop, the Pembrokes with the rest of the Welsh Yeomanry were ordered to make a flanking movement to dislodge the Boers, who had taken up some strong positions.

The Pembrokeshire Yeomanry some 30 strong, attempted to rush the enemy, who were lining a rocky kopje fronted by a deep donga. Down the slope which led to the enemy's position went the small troop, and as they galloped the fire grew fiercer. The few" Boers who were supposed to be there numbered apparently close on 500. Some twenty yards in front of his men was Major Cropper, till stopped by a precipitous descent of some 20 feet. No horseman could ride down it, and to dismount was to count certain death. Slowly Major Cropper, who had been twice hit while so gallantly leading his men, wheeled his horse round and pointed with his hand for them to retire, which was at once done. When Major Cropper reached the ridge he fell off his horse into the arms of Colonel Forbes, al- most senseless, gasping “Couldn't do it, sir."

He had been hit three times and had ridden grasping his saddle with both hands. The gallant Major was at once invalided home, and a few months afterwards died of his wounds. No one else was hit in this death ride, although several had their clothes riddled with bullets, and their horses wounded.

The remnant of the Pembrokes were now under the charge of Lieutenants Jones and Blunt.

The other Troop under Captain Richardson had by now rejoined the company, and after some hot work after De Wet in wild Karoo desert, found themselves in March, 1901, engaged in clearing the country south of Bloemfontein.

Then came more clearing of the rebel farms, and finally the new 30th (Pembrokeshire) Company of Yeomanry arrived to relieve them.

A few more weeks were spent with Colonel White's Column, and then orders were issued for the old company to proceed to Worcester, where remnants of the original 9th Battalion were to mobilise.

Another misfortune befell the Company ere its departure for home. Sergeant Major Prothero, after successfully resisting an attack of enteric fever, fell a victim to pneumonia, to the great regret of all ranks.

At last the company embarked for home, and on their arrival at Tenby were accorded a splendid reception, and the members of the Squadron later had the honour of receiving the medals from the King on that memorable day when His Majesty decorated some thousands of his Imperial Yeomen in London.  read more

Code: 22420

Ancient Chinese Pottery Figure of a Xianbei Warrior Around 1500 Years Old. A Stunning Ancient Chinese Antiquity That is A Beautiful, Historical Work of Art From Ancient China

Only the second example of such a fine example of an original ancient Xianbei warrior figure we have had in the past 20 years.
This figure is clad in the military uniform of the ancient Chinese Xianbei people; with a covered "wind hat", trousers, short upper tunic and a cape tied around the neck, the outfit was designed to protect one against the wind and dust. Northern Dynasties (A.D. 286 - 581). Figures, some known in Chinese as mingqi, were placed in the burial chambers of the elite, in the belief that the figures represented would become available for the service of the deceased in the afterlife. The more diverse the processional figures were, the more powerful the individual buried with these figures was
They were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The Northern Wei (386-535), which was the first of the Northern Dynasties (386-581) founded by the Xianbei. Among the Xianbei peoples, and also at their descendants the Qi-Dans, women were quite equal with men. They rode horses and used bow and arrow just as good as men, an old poem says. Also during the following Tang Dynasty, women could do much the same as men. However, there were severe punishments for adultery.

In 534, the Northern Wei split into an Eastern Wei (534-550) and a Western Wei (535-556) after an uprising in the steppes of Northern China inhabited by Xianbei and other nomadic peoples. The former evolved into the Northern Qi (550-577), and the latter into the Northern Zhou (557-581), while the Southern Dynasties were pushed to the south of the Yangtze River. In 581, the Prime Minister of Northern Zhou, Yang Jian, founded the Sui Dynasty (581-618). His son, the future emperor Yang Guang, annihilated the Southern Chen (557-589), the last kingdom of the Southern Dynasties, thereby unifying northern and southern China. After the Sui came to an end amidst peasant rebellions and renegade troops, his cousin, Li Shimin, founded the Tang Dynasty (618-907); Li led China to develop into one of the most prosperous states in history. Sui and Tang dynasties were founded by Han Chinese generals who also served the Northern Wei Dynasty. Through these political establishments, the Xianbei who entered China were largely merged with the Han, examples such as the wife of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Duchess Dou and Emperor Taizong of Tang's (Li Shimin's) wife, Empress Zhangsun, both have Xianbei ancestries, while those who remained behind in the northern grassland emerged as later. The figure is in very good condition for age, with a small chip on the front foot and on the rear trouser bottom, possibly contemporary. 9.5 inches high. As with all our items, it comes complete with it's Certificate of Authenticity.  read more

Code: 22395