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THBA Very Fine and Rare 100 Pound Lloyd's Patriotic Fund Sword Presented to Captain Robert Redmill Of H.M.S. Polyphemus, in Commemoration of his Service
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveOct 30, 2018
Cowan's is honored to present the Magnificent Sword Collection of William Koch in its two-day firearms, militaria, and American history auction, with a focus on the Civil War. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
A Very Fine and Rare 100 Pound Lloyd's Patriotic Fund Sword Presented to Captain Robert Redmill Of H.M.S. Polyphemus, in Commemoration of his Service at the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21st, 1805
30.5" single-edged blade with 24" hollow ground fuller. Width at ricasso 1.5", overall length 37". Blade heavily blued and gilt with flowers, foliage, martial and naval trophies, mythical figures, George III cypher, British Royal Coat of Arms surmounted by lion and crown, recipient initials, and cherubs. Right side of blade gilt in block letters " FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLOYDS TO ROBER REDMILL ESQR CAPT OF H*M*S* POLY-/-PHEMUS FOR HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL VICTORY OBTAINED OVER/THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE & SPAIN OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR ON THE 21st OF OCTOBER 1805 ." 6.5" ormolu hilt with foliate langlets forming into a panel depicting naval trophies with quillions terminating in fasces. Knuckle bow takes on the form of a Herculean club entwined by a serpent, complimenting the finely checkered ivory grip with back-piece formed by a casting of the Nemean lion, the whole being fitted with a deep blue and gold bullion knot.
Scabbard, also of ormolu, features cast and chased scenes set in medallions depicting Hercules in combat with the Hydra and the Nemean lion, in addition to a seated Brittania presenting a victor's laurel crown before a representation of the battle. This medallion surrounded by naval trophies and stern of British warship with " HMS POLYPHEMUS ", as well as " NELSON " and "TRAFALGAR" in furled banners over" 21st /OCTR /1803 ". Additional cast, pierced, and chased panels on blue velvet backing depict martial and naval trophies. Suspension loops take on the form of serpents, with chape of graduated beads. Accompanying fire-gilt bronze and leather suspension belt adorned with gold bullion embroidery. Two-piece buckle depicts a warrior in classical habit in combat with a hydra, his shield bearing the design of the Union Jack. Under the scene is marked "PATRIOTIC FUND/1803 ". Lion medallions form the hangers with buckles of naval motifs.
Of all the splendid Napoleonic era presentation swords, none are more highly prized than those awarded by the Lloyd's Patriotic Fund of London. Of this rarified group of 23 known swords (some sources say 25) none are more valued than the so-called “100 pound” swords given to British naval commanders who served at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. Scholars debate whether this naval battle was more important for Britain than the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, but there is no doubt that Trafalgar was the greatest battle of the Age of Fighting Sail, and Lloyd's Patriotic Swords the greatest swords from the era.
The sword offered here was presented to Captain Robert Redmill (1758 -1819) who was in command of the 64 gun HMS Polyphemus in the Lee Column at the Battle of Traflagar. The Polyphemus engaged two French ships, the Neptune and the Achille and captured the Spanish ship Argonauta. Captain Redmill and Polyphemus had the unique honor of towing Admiral Horatio Nelson’s badly damaged flagship, HMS Victory, back to Gibraltar harbor along with Nelson's body. The Polyphemus suffered casualties of two dead and four wounded in the battle.
Captain Redmill’s Lloyd's sword was crafted by Richard Teed of London, as are similar examples curated in British national collections (the National Maritime Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum). The Teed trade label in the lid of the case explains the meanings inherent in the fire gilded hilt. PATRIOTIC FUND LLOYDS 1803: "The ornamental design for the Hilts of the Swords Presented from the Fund in reward of BRITISH VALOUR imports that National Union figured by the Roman Faces PRODUCES HERCULEAN EFFORTS (of which the Club of Hercules is emblematic WHICH AIDED BY WISDOM (denoted by the serpent) LEAD TO VICTORY (implied by the Skin of the Nemean Lion, the proudest of that Hero’s Trophies) The Wreath of Laurel denotes that REWARDS Await the Brave who shall successfully Wield their swains in the Cause of their Country, in Defense of British Security, Independence & Honor.”
Provenance: From the Sword Collection of William KochThe condition of the Redmill Lloyd's sword is excellent throughout with little wear to the brilliant blue and gold decorated blade, nearly all the bright fire gilding on the hilt, and nearly all the original fire gilding on the scabbard. The belt and mounts are excellent with nearly all the bright fire gilding remaining. The Redmill sword is accompanied by an original Patriotic Fund mahogany case missing partitions, partially relined but retaining the original elaborate paper Richard Teed label detailing the sword’s iconography. This is a superlative example of the 100 pound prize sword and made that much more significant by the role played by Captain Redmill and the Polyphemus not only in the Battle of Trafalgar itself but by safely returning Admiral Nelson’s body together with his Flagship Victory to Gibraltar harbor following the battle.Provenance: The Connoisseur Volume 1 September - December 1901 Page 127 Illustrated: “August 28th Glendining & Co. King William Street, Strand disposed of an important relic of the Battle of Trafalgar, the naval sword presented by the Patriotic Fund to Captain Robert Redmill.Condition
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