ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA, AND CONVERTED TO EXECUTIONER'S USE IN THE CITY OF ALGIERS, DATED 1663

with broad single-edged knife-shaped blade (some areas of old staining and pitting) retaining traces of original etching including the date above 'S...' on one side, integral grip tang, and 'eared' hardwood grips (minor chips) secured by three transverse steel pins, in its wood-lined brown leather scabbard (damaged) with red painted French inscription along one side, 58.0 cm blade

Provenance

Dr. Ben Hamon Collection, Paris

Bonhams Knightsbridge, 26th November 2014, lot 89

Exhibited

Oliver Hoare, Every Object Tells A Story, 2014, cat. no.143

The inscription reads in translation: 'Executioner's sword found by Captain Müller in the kasbah during the taking of Algiers... bears the date 1663, was used in particular for the beheading of Christians'.

Probably originally taken as loot by the Ottomans at the time of the Austro-Turkish war and siege of Vienna in 1683. This glaive was presumably subsequently used as an executioner's sword in Algiers until captured by Captain Müller under the command of General Count de Ghaisnes de Bourmont at the time of the defeat of Hussein Dey, ruler of the Ottoman Regency of Algiers.

Sigismund Franz (1630-1665), Archduke of Austria, was ruler of further Austria including Tyrol from 1662 to 1665. He was appointed Bishop of Augsburg in 1646, bishop of Gurk in 1653 and bishop of Trent in 1659.

For a fully etched example see Math. Lempertz, Köln, Waffensammlung Konsol A.D., Hans C. Leiden, 20 June 1934, lot 428.