Magnificent gold award sword presented to Constantin GRAVIER - Lot 346

Lot n° 346
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Estimation :
60000 - 80000 EUR
Magnificent gold award sword presented to Constantin GRAVIER - Lot 346
Magnificent gold award sword presented to Constantin GRAVIER, Comte de Vergennes, Captain-Colonel of the Gardes de la Porte (1815). Work of the renowned Martin-Guillaume Biennais. Bright polished gold mounting with amatized base. Slightly ovalized flare with three motifs from the front: -in the center, a medallion depicting King Louis XVIII in profile bust in a pearl frame, surmounted by a bundle of flags, a fleurette and two palms, and adorned below with the "Gardes de la Porte" motif represented by a sword, two crossed keys surmounted by a crowned radiant sun. -On the back of the fuse, three superimposed motifs: the arms of France in a shield enriched with a trophy of arms, then a medallion representing the goddess Athena crowned with a laurel wreath by the goddess Niké, surmounted by a fame and two palms; The sides are decorated with branches of laurel leaves interspersed with a flower in their centers. The urn-shaped pommel is decorated on each side with a winged lion, interspersed on the sides with two floret friezes and chased on top, in an oval medallion, with a profile bust of King Henri IV, head laurel, bordered by a series of small pearls. Superb hilt branch formed by two snakes coiling below the pommel, their tails forming the quillons. The branch is magnificently chased in half-round relief with the goddess Athena standing, winged and helmeted, adorned in the center with the head of Medusa and enriched at the top and bottom with palms, oak leaves and acanthus leaves. Body knot decorated with two medallions on each side representing Apollo and Athena, enriched in the center with florets. Guard keyboard featuring a chariot drawn by two horses led by a winged victory, decorated on either side with two medallions, on the right, bearing the initials "CV" interlaced; on the left, adorned with the "Arms" of the Gravier de Vergennes family: "Per pale: I, Gules, three birds rising Argent, those in chief affronty; II, Gules, a cross Argent and on which brooch (in heart), an escutcheon Sable with a vine Vert and on a chief Azure a sun Or". Small counter-keyboard with light curling. The keyboard and counter-keyboard, decorated en suite, are edged with a frieze of ribbons, laurel leaves and flowers. Engraved, gilded and blued, flat-backed straight blade with inscription: "Custodes Regum Antiquiares" (the oldest guards of the Kings), with counter-edge and hollow sides, with cartouche on one side "La Compagnie des Gardes de la Porte du Roi", surrounded by a gold fillet and leaves; on the other side, "Au comte de Vergennes, Capitaine colonel, 1er novembre 1815". Wooden scabbard covered with fine black varnished grained skin, with two gold trimmings magnificently decorated en suite. The cap is cut out at the base, adorned with a floret bracelet and a shield-shaped button chased with a palm leaf and three small flowers. The upper part of the bouterolle is cut out and decorated with two bracelets, one with a frieze of flowers and a second frieze adorned with a succession of tiny palmettes. Burnished iron lentil sting. The sword is fitted with its protective wooden sheath, shaped for transport, covered in green morocco, lined with white silk, closing with eight silvered hooks (accidents, breakage and missing keypad). The sword and scabbard are in very good condition and entirely original. Length with scabbard: 98.3 cm. Length without scabbard: 95 cm. Blade length: 79.3 cm. Width: 2 cm. Scabbard length: 82.7 cm. Goldsmith's hallmarks in the form of lozenges (illegible), struck on the faces of the fuse, on the limb and under the keyboard, attributable to Biennais. Trial stamp "tête de bébé 2" (1798-1838) on the clevis. A third hallmark (illegible). Provenance: Constantin Gravier, comte de Vergennes. Kept in the family by inheritance, it was part of the family treasure belonging to the Comte de Vergennes. This sword was made by the famous silversmith Martin-Guillaume Biennais (1764-1843). N.B.: The diamond-shaped hallmarks are those of Biennais, one of which reveals two tiny details: a small ball on the side and part of the border. This model of sword is typical of the decorations and workmanship of the famous silversmith. The hilt, decoration and overall shape can be compared with other famous models, notably : - Musée de Fontainebleau: Napoleon's service sword, the "coral sword" and the "three-sheath sword" presented to Grand Duke Constantine. - Musée de l'Armée: the "Austerli" sword.
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