CASED COURT DRESS AND SWORD WITH SWORD BELT OF ARTHUR SHERWELL, MP 1906-1918.

The very elegant suit of court dress belonging to Arthur Sherwell, Member of Parliament from Huddlesfield 1906-1918, cased with its matching court sword and belt, with all the metallic elements bearing profuse, dense, silvery, glittering, cut-steel raised dots and faceted diamonds to catch the light. The ensemble is housed in a flat, Japanned tin case with carrying handles either end, key lock, and fitted with a brass escutcheon plate engraved, “Arthur Sherwell, Esq.”. The suit includes a black chapeau-de-bras, lined and trimmed in black with a ribbon cockade over which is a “loop” of five chains with flat oval links securing a shield finial with cut-steel, faceted rosette. Additional dress elements are very deep blue velvet cut-away tailcoat, accompanied by two vests, one deep blue and one white, with all three pieces carrying faceted cut steel buttons: five large on the coat and four each, slightly smaller on both vests. A pair of stockings and dress shoes complete the set, the shoes marked inside “Treadwell Bros. / London,” a well-known circa 1900 boot and shoe retailer. These are accompanied by cut-steel shoe buckles, one large one still on one shoe, with the other in a small, blue-lined case along with a pair of smaller buckles, likely for knee-breeches no longer with the set. As with the other metal elements, both sets of buckles are profusely decorated cut steel with raised faceted dots having beaded edges. The sword is court sword of small-sword style carried in a black and silver scabbard, suspended by black frog from a black belt ornamented with a wide, embroidered gold bullion band and fastened by a cut steel S-link in the form of a snake. The blade is straight, triangular hollow-ground, etched with floral and martial motifs. No maker or retailer mark. The hilt is completely cut steel as well, with urn-shaped pommel, flat knucklebow ornamented with faceted dots, transitioning to round quillon through a rectangular quillon block, from which extend rudimentary pas-d’anes to a semicircular down-turned counterguard. The counterguard bears triangular cascade of vertical striations coming to a point, bordered by faceted dots and scalloped edge. Both pommel and grip have a recessed spiral band with more raised dots, creating an appearance between rivets and inset diamonds from the reflection of light on the facets. The whole is a very impressive grouping. Sherwell (1863-1942) was a British Liberal Party Member of Parliament from 1906 to 1918, serving on several committees and commissions. He was also a prominent campaigner for social reform, fighting against urban poverty and for women’s suffrage. He was a temperance advocate and wrote several books on the liquor trade. His opposition to a military draft in World War One purportedly ended his political career and he retired before the 1918 general election. CONDITION: Excellent overall. Minor scratches and wear marks to the case. Some scattered wear to the white linings of the garments, mainly in the shoulders, lower back and sides, with the white vest having some tears on the back seam. Some very minor, thin discoloration to the steel quillon block and lower grip of the sword. The blade etching is very good, showing clear, vivid motifs on the frosted ground. The scabbard has one narrow gouge about half-way down. Belt is excellent. Sword carrying case is fair.

Item Dimensions: 40" X 12" X 5"