A FRENCH HALBERD OF THE SWISS GUARD OF LOUIS XV (1710, 1723-74) with tapering terminal blade formed with a wavy edge and medial ridge on each face, slightly concave axe-blade with wavy back-edge, rear fluke formed with an additional wavy spike above and below, the centre of the head chiselled with a sun-in-splendour mask in relief on each face and with traces of original gilding, tapering faceted socket formed with a moulding at the top, engraved '48', and fitted with a transverse bolt (the up-turned spike finial missing), a pair of straps of differing length, on a wooden haft 62.8 cm; 24 ¾ in head Provenance Jeanne et Robert-Jean Charles, sold Tajan, Paris, 8 December 1993, lot 239 The Swiss Guard (Cent-Suisses) were introduced into the Royal household in 1679. They had three sets of dress, for war, daily use and ceremony. The latter was decorated with blue vertical bands alternating with crimson silk velvet embroidered in white silk thread with a chain design. An example of this uniform is preserved in the Musée de l'Armée, Paris, inv. no. 3641 DEP.