Smallsword with the coat of arms and motto of the House of Orange-Nassau

Seeker · Yesterday, 02:34 AM

Looking more carefully than before at this smallsword I recently inherited from a friend, I noticed letters molded into the edge of the guard on the hilt. They spell out "Je Maintiendrai," meaning "I will maintain," which is the motto of the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau. And sure enough, the hilt also bears that house's coat of arms: two crowned, forward-facing lions supporting a shield bearing a lion wielding a sword, and beneath a larger crown. The grip is mother-of-pearl and I believe the brass hilt is, or at least was, gilded. I understand that the sword is probably 18th century, when the House of Orange-Nassau controlled much of what is now Germany as well. The utilitarian scabbard was made for me by a friend.

Jim McDougall · Today, 07:46 PM

This is a beautiful example of a court sword (small swords were typically with bilobate shell guards) in a form that evolved from hunting sword style hilts of earlier in 18th c. in the latter part of the century. This downturned shell guard signified the distinct court wear character of this type sword, and the overall typically elaborately styled motifs, often themes in rococo designs, and as in this case the escutcheon guard with coat of arms.

A distinctive feature in this otherwise rather ubiquitous form of hilt which remained popular well through the 19th century, are the dual, opposed lion heads at the pommel. This feature seems to have become popular throughout Europe early in the century, as it occurs on various examples French and Spanish in first half of the century.

A Portuguese dress sword of c.1810 (Dean, 1928) has virtually the same style and elements of this example, to the flowers on grip and knucklebow, lion at base of knucklebow, and escutcheon on shell guard in same manner as this but with Portuguese coat of arms.
However, the pommel, rather than dual lions, is one which appears Sinhalese, and suggests the trade interests in the East Indies. This is carried further by the use of malachite instead of ivory in the grip plates, which was important in the cultural elements in Asian contexts.

Perhaps this might offer a clue as to the diffusion of style and elements with regard to the dual lion pommel, while the overall hilt style is clearly widely European. Trade activity in the East Indies notably that of the Dutch East India Co. (VOC) of course came in contact with these other European entities.

The sword in the page from "Blanke Wapens" (J.P.Puype, 1981) shows a Dutch officers dress sword with similar hilt design c.1810.

By c. 1850, the hilts of infantry officers in Spain had pommels with these dual lion heads (these termed 'Isabelina' after reign of Isabel II ,1833-68).

While obviously a Dutch court sword, probably worn by officials perhaps in diplomatic capacity in years in first half of 19th c. it seems to follow the traditional themes and rococo designs of earlier examples. Very elegant sword with likely fascinating history for those with the stamina to wade through the geopolitical/monarchial web of those times.

First pic: Dutch infantry officer (Puype, 1981) c. 1820
Next 2: Spanish infantry officer c. 1850 'Isabelina' dress sword
Next, blue background French, c1830s
Next, fluted ivory, Spanish, probably c. 1810-20

Yesterday, 02:34 AM	#1
Seeker Member Join Date: Apr 2025 Posts: 13	Smallsword with the coat of arms and motto of the House of Orange-Nassau Looking more carefully than before at this smallsword I recently inherited from a friend, I noticed letters molded into the edge of the guard on the hilt. They spell out "Je Maintiendrai," meaning "I will maintain," which is the motto of the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau. And sure enough, the hilt also bears that house's coat of arms: two crowned, forward-facing lions supporting a shield bearing a lion wielding a sword, and beneath a larger crown. The grip is mother-of-pearl and I believe the brass hilt is, or at least was, gilded. I understand that the sword is probably 18th century, when the House of Orange-Nassau controlled much of what is now Germany as well. The utilitarian scabbard was made for me by a friend. Attached Images

Today, 07:46 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,274	Court sword style This is a beautiful example of a court sword (small swords were typically with bilobate shell guards) in a form that evolved from hunting sword style hilts of earlier in 18th c. in the latter part of the century. This downturned shell guard signified the distinct court wear character of this type sword, and the overall typically elaborately styled motifs, often themes in rococo designs, and as in this case the escutcheon guard with coat of arms. A distinctive feature in this otherwise rather ubiquitous form of hilt which remained popular well through the 19th century, are the dual, opposed lion heads at the pommel. This feature seems to have become popular throughout Europe early in the century, as it occurs on various examples French and Spanish in first half of the century. A Portuguese dress sword of c.1810 (Dean, 1928) has virtually the same style and elements of this example, to the flowers on grip and knucklebow, lion at base of knucklebow, and escutcheon on shell guard in same manner as this but with Portuguese coat of arms. However, the pommel, rather than dual lions, is one which appears Sinhalese, and suggests the trade interests in the East Indies. This is carried further by the use of malachite instead of ivory in the grip plates, which was important in the cultural elements in Asian contexts. Perhaps this might offer a clue as to the diffusion of style and elements with regard to the dual lion pommel, while the overall hilt style is clearly widely European. Trade activity in the East Indies notably that of the Dutch East India Co. (VOC) of course came in contact with these other European entities. The sword in the page from "Blanke Wapens" (J.P.Puype, 1981) shows a Dutch officers dress sword with similar hilt design c.1810. By c. 1850, the hilts of infantry officers in Spain had pommels with these dual lion heads (these termed 'Isabelina' after reign of Isabel II ,1833-68). While obviously a Dutch court sword, probably worn by officials perhaps in diplomatic capacity in years in first half of 19th c. it seems to follow the traditional themes and rococo designs of earlier examples. Very elegant sword with likely fascinating history for those with the stamina to wade through the geopolitical/monarchial web of those times. First pic: Dutch infantry officer (Puype, 1981) c. 1820 Next 2: Spanish infantry officer c. 1850 'Isabelina' dress sword Next, blue background French, c1830s Next, fluted ivory, Spanish, probably c. 1810-20 Attached Images