November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
This partisan is one of a series of ceremonial weapons made for the bodyguard of Paris, Count of Lodron, who was the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg between 1619-1653. Lodron was ordained a priest in March 1614, having studied at Trento, Bologona, and with the Jesuits at Ingolstadt. Lodron was then elected Provost of the cathedral chapter and President of the Archbishop's exchequer. With the death of the previous Prince-Archbishop, Markus Sittich von Hohenems, Lodron was elected to succeed him in 1619 and he assumed the official ordination on May 23rd, 1620. Importantly, with Sittich's refusal to join the Catholic League, Lodron was able to keep Salzburg out of the 30 Years War, and instead built up the Benedictine University of Salzburg, appointing Albert Keuslin, and fortified the town. Lodron died in 1653 and was succeded by Guidobald Reichsgraf von Thun. Partisan is comprised of a 22 - 5/8" spatulate blade with double fullers and elaborate wings, etched with foliate designs with "16" on one wing and "20" on the other, indicating manufacture in 1620 and likely coinciding with the official ordination. Central portion of head is etched with the coat of arms of Paris and depicting a lion rampant with nowed tail, another lion with twin tails, and then three bands. The crest is flanked by tassels and topped by a globus cruciger that is further topped by a cardinal's hat. Both sides are acid etched with the same design. Head is mounted on a faceted poletopper and fixed with peened straps that are nailed to shaft. CONDITION: Very good to excellent, with etching still crisp and legible, with one side being slightly faded but still discernible. One tip of wing is damaged and one of the wings near the base is also bent in. "P/7" is written on the faceted base, probably museum numbers. Haft is very good and possible the original, with nails showing some chipping at heads, and plenty of hand rubbing throughout. A brass strap has been affixed to base and a staple has been added to the top of the shaft for display purposes. This is a rare opportunity to own a partisan from a directly verifiable and identifiable 17th century Prince-Archbishop, particularly one who managed to weather the 30 Years War. PROVENANCE: John. K. Lattimer Collection. CF: Two other examples in the Worcester Museum of Art in the Higgins Collection, accession numbers 2014.204 and 2014.128. EMW
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.