Page 143 - 85-Book3

LOT 3243
Decorative Copy of Late 16th Century/Early 17th Century European Suit of Armour - The components of this suit
of armour copy, appear to show primarily Italian and German influences and appears to be based
on common styles found in the late 16th to early
17th centuries
in the
transitional
period from
full plate
armour to three-quarter
and half-
plate styles
during the
adoption of pike
and gunpowder warfare. The suit is not heavily adorned but many of the pieces show rolled edges with roped border decor. The helm is of the “close burgonet” variety composed
of three pieces, with hinged oreillettes, a large keel-like comb, and a pierced falling buffe, retained to the helm with a leather strap. The breastplate shows a central crease and a short flared tace at the waist, which the cuisses are attached to with leather straps. The large pauldrons
are made up of
several lames and
provide ample
armpit protection along with full arm and hand protection, terminating in gauntlets with articulated fingers. The suit features full frontal leg and foot protection, including articulated cuisses and sabatons made up of multiple lames. The interior of most of the plates has a black enamel finish. It stands approximately 6 feet tall including the wooden base, and approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall from the bottom of the foot to the crest of the helm.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly an attractive bright grey patina overall with some scattered light speckling of oxidation and pitting, and a few areas showing a darker grey patina. The newer leather straps are in near new condition. Overall an attractive suit of armor that is ready for display! Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3244
Attractive Pair of Gilt Flintlock Belt Pistols Identified as Owned by Duke Ernst August I -A) Flintlock Belt Pistol - NSN, 42 cal., 9 inch part round bbl., bright/gold/niter
blue finish, walnut stock. This beautiful pair of pistols are from a larger group of similarly
decorated firearms attributed to Duke Ernst August I von Saxe-Weimar’s court gunmaker Johan Martin Laun c. 1730-1740 and built using parts supplied by Northern Italian gunmaker
Giovanni Botti of Brescia. The arms were made for the armory of Schloss
Ettersburg just north of Weimar, and many were sold in the early 20th century.
The smoothbore barrels have post front sights, girdled transition points, ribbed breech sections signed “+LAZARINO +COMINAZZO+,” and folding U-notch rear sights. The locks are signed “Gio. Botti” and have scroll engraving inhabited by bestial masks. The same masks and scroll patterns repeat throughout the gilt brass furniture. Most of the screws, the triggers, and the small belt hooks are finished in bright niter blue. The stocks have interesting raised wavy line designs and incised lines at the ramrod entry points. The ramrods have gilt brass tips. The pommel studs have a reichsadler holding two shields: one with entwined “EA” initials and the other with a coat of arms. For two related pairs, see the pistols in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection (Reference Number: 1982.2383a-b and 1982.2386a-b). Duke Ernst August I von Sachsen-Weimar ruled over the Duchy
of Saxe-Weimar from 1728 to 1748. Among his greatest passions was hunting, and he is noted as having 1,100 dogs and 373 horses at the time of his death. His estates included large patches of forest suited to his love of the hunt in Eisenach. He neglected his heir and left him with a duchy in financial ruin due to his lavish spending and the fallout from his extortion of his wealthy subjects.
CONDITION: Very fine with crisp markings and designs and minimal wear on the bright polished barrel with some scattered pitting. The lock plate is mostly mirror bright. The gilt brass fittings have light aging. The professionally restored niter blue has only some minor fading towards the rear of the belt hook. The stock is also very fine and has attractive grain and carving, smooth finish, and a few light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. B) Flintlock Belt Pistol - NSN, 42 cal., 9 inch part round bbl., bright/gold/niter blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very fine with minimal wear, crisp markings, and distinct designs
on the bright polished barrel with some scattered
light pitting. The lockplate remains mostly
mirror bright. The gilt furniture has light
aged patina, and there is a faint crack
in the trigger guard bow. Nearly all of
the professionally restored niter blue
remains. The stock is also very fine and
has distinct raised carving and incised
lines, attractive grain, a few minor
dings and scratches, a slight hairline
crack at the heel, and minor overall
wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
Ernst August I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Collector’s Fact
Duke Ernst August I led an extravagant life style and was passionate about hunting. At the time of his death, the Duke had 1100 dogs and 373 horses.
141