The Sword of John Hampden(?)

Jim McDougall · 16th August 2024, 09:01 PM

According to Norman ("The Rapier and Smallsword 1400-1820; 1980, p.327) "...in the last century (19th) a large number of more elaborately decorated weapons and pieces of armor were attributed to the famous sculptor-goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini (1500-71). All are now ascribed to different schools and craftsmen".

In "Wallace Collection" (plate 113. p.264, A511) there is a silver encrusted sword made for Prince Henry, Prince of Wales about 1610-12. The elaborate relief carvings are magnificent work, and the sword is open hilt rather than with typical guard systems of rapiers etc.

What is notable is that the blade has the unicorn marking of Clemens Horn, Solingen, (1586-1631) being that Horn was maker of some of the most prestigious blades of late 16th into early 17th c. for royal personages of those times,some of them being,
"...Prince Charles and King James I,and JOHN HAMPDEN,"
(#65 at Windsor).

It is noted in the Windsor description that the hilt of Hampdens sword is by an anonymous artist...but likely of course they suggest that the work is of the Cellini school.

It would seem that the artisan of this sword for Prince Henry Prince of Wales c. 1610 was following this convention.

Given that these swords were of the same period, of similar high stature with blades by Clemens Horn, perhaps the 'tradition' developed with the chain of provenance ultimately ending up with another Prince of Wales, George IV who finally received this sword in 1807.

The sword certainly was in good company.

16th August 2024, 09:01 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,896	According to Norman ("The Rapier and Smallsword 1400-1820; 1980, p.327) "...in the last century (19th) a large number of more elaborately decorated weapons and pieces of armor were attributed to the famous sculptor-goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini (1500-71). All are now ascribed to different schools and craftsmen". In "Wallace Collection" (plate 113. p.264, A511) there is a silver encrusted sword made for Prince Henry, Prince of Wales about 1610-12. The elaborate relief carvings are magnificent work, and the sword is open hilt rather than with typical guard systems of rapiers etc. What is notable is that the blade has the unicorn marking of Clemens Horn, Solingen, (1586-1631) being that Horn was maker of some of the most prestigious blades of late 16th into early 17th c. for royal personages of those times,some of them being, "...Prince Charles and King James I,and JOHN HAMPDEN," (#65 at Windsor). It is noted in the Windsor description that the hilt of Hampdens sword is by an anonymous artist...but likely of course they suggest that the work is of the Cellini school. It would seem that the artisan of this sword for Prince Henry Prince of Wales c. 1610 was following this convention. Given that these swords were of the same period, of similar high stature with blades by Clemens Horn, perhaps the 'tradition' developed with the chain of provenance ultimately ending up with another Prince of Wales, George IV who finally received this sword in 1807. The sword certainly was in good company. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 17th August 2024 at 03:45 AM.