Officer's Sword Of The King's Bodyguard With Silver Hilt

First Restoration, Paris, ca. 1814–1815.

The only known in collection

Officer’s sword made during the restoration of the monarchy under Louis XVIII.

The silver mount on the hilt consists of an openwork guard, a chiseled tang, and a socket adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays. The decoration combines a sun, plant motifs, a mask, and two medallions adorned with a fleur-de-lis.

The mount bears the master’s mark of Jean Juste, a Parisian silversmith who became a master in 1807, as well as the first-grade silver rooster hallmark, accompanied by the number 1, and the Paris hallmarks used between 1809 and 1819.

Jean Juste is particularly known for crafting silver sword mountings during the First Empire. Another sword bearing his hallmark, also featuring a mother-of-pearl tang and an openwork guard, displays a similar design centered around the imperial eagle. On this sword, the fleurs-de-lis and the sun link the decoration to the Bourbon Restoration.

The straight blade, manufactured in Solingen, bears the mark I.Gr.B, corresponding to the Gebrüder Brock brothers, manufacturers of sabers and swords active in the early 19th century.

The silver hilt and the monarchical nature of the decoration suggest a special commission intended for a person of high rank.

An expert appraisal supports the theory that it belonged to a member of the King’s bodyguard.

Provenance:

Former Debaecker Collection.

Last detailed photo of the one-centimeter quillon