A 19th century gilt bronze model of the Napoleon Vendome Column, Paris. Officially titled the “Colonne de la Grande Armée” it was seen as the most important symbol of Paris during the 19th century and its complex history explains why.
In 1803 the First Consul confirmed the plan to erect a column in Vendôme equal to that of the Roman column of Trajan. The columns design was undertaken by Lepère and Gondoin, made from melting 1200 Austrian and Russian artillery pieces won in the recent campaigns. The inscription at the base reads: ‘Monument erected to the glory of Napoleon the Great’s Grande Armée, begun on 25 August 1806 and finished 15 August 1810’.
The column itself comprises of a stone core enrobed with 425 bronze plaques fixed to the stone with pins. Designed by Bergeret the 280 metre-long frieze (or plaques), wrap around the column depicting the major events of the recent campaign. The column begins at the camp in Boulogne and ends with the return of the Emperor and his guard in 1806. Sculptures such as Boizot, Bosio, Bartolini, Ramey, Rude, Corbet, Clodion and Ruxthiel were all commissioned to execute this frieze.
Initially the column was crowned with a statue by Chaudet of The Emperor in Roman dress but was taken down by the Allies in 1814 and replaced by a flag bearing the fleurs de lys. It was then under the July Monarchy a further replacement statue was made by Seurre showing Napoleon as the ‘Little Corporal’ (a statue today held in the Invalides). Eventually during the Second Empire, a copy of Chaudet’s initial statue designed by Dumont was hoisted to the top of the column to replace the unpopular “Little Corporal” by Seurre.
The column was targeted one final time and dismantled during the “Commune” under the direction of Gustave Courbet due to it being a symbol of militarism and imperialism. Then in 1873 it was finally re-erected and restored to its former glory with Courbet being ordered to pay the costs for this himself, which payment was received as Courbet died shortly after.
This stunning bronze manages to transfer the history, skill and pride all associated to the original column with its flawless attention to detail. A beautiful, well executed bronze period piece.
18 in. (46cm) high $3500
A 45th (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment of Foot Officer’s 1869-78 Pattern Shako.
A good example, the stiffened blue cloth cork body with correct officers gold lace decoration, gilt metal chain and side rosettes, the frontal plate crowned laurel and Garter pattern, with stippled pierced ’45’ to the centre, complete with correct pattern gilt plume holder with white over red plume, complete with original carrying tin.
Minor moth nips, crimson lining torn in places, overall good condition $2250
A Boer War period possibly Yeomanry Khaki Drill Tunic. Five buttons with pleated breast pockets, red facings (collar, cuffs & shoulder straps), Buttons not sewn on as eyelets in place. Stand up collar suggests early Boer War.
Very Good Condition SOLD
A Christmas Gift with Christmas Greetings to the Men of Canterbury, N. Z. Fighting for the Empire. From the Editor and Readers of “The Press” Christchurch, New Zealand Christmas 1915.
SOLD
A circa 1878 Volunteer Rifle Shako. Strong body to helmet with few scuffs. All fittings in white metal including lion boss at rear. Repair to velvet backing on chin chain and internal anchor plate to stop original tuft ball and holder from moving is missing. Helmet plate possibly not original to helmet due to extra holes. This Shako was purchased in Australia and could have been used here.
Overall, in good condition $1750
A pair of miniature dress medals attributed to Captain H. A. Egerton
Crimea, no clasp, 12mm; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, 14mm, silver, gold and enamel, suspended from a composite riband bearing two full-size but copy clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol, contained within an oval glass-fronted case, 155mm x 135mm, A paper with details of the recipient is pasted on to the back of the case. Some of the details have incorrect spelling: ‘Hugh Aldersey Egerton, born 7th February 1834, died 5th October 1913, Captain, South Australian Kapunda Rifle Volunteer Force 25th February 1860’.
His service in Kapunda is recorded in TROVE. 1861.
Given the unusual manufacture of the two large clasps with double acorn tails I would not be surprised if they represent early South Australian silver smithing as I can’t see London jewellers making these and he arrived in Australia in 1855
VF $975
A Cromwellian “ Zischagge”, 17th Century. With single piece skull with six radiating ribs, four lame fully articulated tail with turned edge and domed rivets, bevelled cheek-pieces with nine holes, broad pointed peak with turned edge, sliding nasal bar retained by a screw with a heart shaped terminal, the nasal bar has an H Armourer’s mark.
A culturally important group in connection with our bushranging days. This group comprises of an Edward VII Imperial Service medal (first star type) correctly period engraved to FREDERICK FOWLER. Indian Mutiny Medal jewelers clasp “CENTRAL INDIA” period re-named engraved caps. F. FOWLER 5 BENGL. EUROPN. CAVLRY. And a New Zealand War Medal dated “1861 to 1866” correctly impressed SERGT F. FOWLER. 3RD, WAIKATO REGT.
THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION ON TROVE FOR SUB-INSPECTOR FOWLER THAT WE HAVE COMPRISED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS ONLY THE START OF RESEARCH
After Frederick Fowler completed his service in New Zealand he was asked by the New South Wales Mounted Police to join. One Newspaper article reports the dismay of the other police at the time in the recruiting of a soldier. Australians in the Waikato War by Barton show his as the only medal sent out to the Mounted Police Force.
Rising through the ranks Fowler had an extraordinary career catching many Bushrangers, quelling mining riots and can even be found in the company of Senior sergeant Fitzpatrick (of Ned Kelly fame) in Clarendon at the time that they were hunting the Kelly Gang.
ISM London Gazette date June 26, 1908. The ISM was awarded to Sub –inspector Fowler who rendered special service at the Araluen riots and during the maritime and mining strikes.
During the Araluen riots the crowd “were armed with revolvers, which they were determined to use, lives would have certainly have been lost. Thirty-two revolvers, we understand, were taken from this body by the police”. FREEMANS JOURNAL SYDNEY SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER 1870
Below is a list that we have found (so far) of the names of Bushrangers that the newspapers credit Fowler with catching. Some use different Alias’s and may be the same person who changed his name across the state borders.
WILLIAM SLEIGH
FRANK QUI(N)LAN
CLARENCE (RIVER) BUSHRANGER
A BUSHRANGER USING THE ALIAS “WARD”
BOMBALA MURDERER
GRAFTON BOY BUSHRANGER
SLY THE RICHMOND
TASMANIAN LYNCH
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
Important note: The Indian Mutiny medal is a self-award and the clasp has been modified (possibly in the colony) to say “CENTRAL INDIA”. There may be a temptation to exclude this medal from the already impressive group, but especially since this group has come directly from the family, we felt that it tells an extra part of his story. Period records suggest that as a boy he was in the Mauritius police for some time and also worked on the boats before settling in Australia and such, he may have even done something that made him believe he was entitled to it.
Comes with period miniatures and original photo.
SOLD
A English PIKEMANS POT circa 1650 formed in two halves joined by a turn over low comb. Broad down turned brim with all rivets present. Display holes to both ends of the points. Black tar type paint.
Reasonably Good Condition $2250
A fine early Military Anglo Colonial Campaign Chest circa 1825. H. 1020 W. 440. L 1015. An earlier two-part chest displaying the same early flared handles but what possibly makes this earlier than the other, is the top wrap around brass corner protectors are basic wrap around strips as opposed to the full corner devices. Another strong possibility of a British Officer in the Colony of WA.
RARE. Good Condition $3850.
A fine early Military Anglo Colonial Secretaire Campaign Chest circa 1830. H. 1040 W. 445 L. 915. One piece with original brass carry handles.
Despite the acknowledged down turn in “brown furniture”, this can not be said about Campaign furniture and what makes this so interesting is its age with the tell tail flared sides on the handle back plates. Strong possibility this has come to WA via an early British Officer to the Colony.
RARE. Good Condition $3850
A French PARTIZAN circa 1700. Believed to be from the town of Lyon with its coat of arms being three Fleur-de-lis over a rampant lion with pretruding tongue beside what is possibly a rack number "164" (see photo). Very typical of style with toggle at right angle to spear face. What is particularly pleasing is that the fluted haft is original with many studs and Fleur-de-lis (a couple missing) at both the top and bottom. Haft has a small amount of old wood worm holes, however given how few retain original wood, this is a small price to pay. Overall legth 77.25 inches.
Good condition SOLD
A Good example of a MORION circa 1600. Two piece skull with tall roped comb and turned over ribbed borders. All rivets present, Armourers mark close to forward point. One small hole in comb for display purposes.
Very Good Condition SOLD
A good Victorian 12th Lancers cap complete. Helmet plate with Battle Honours, Peninsular, Waterloo, South Africa 1851.2.3 , Sebastopol & Central India. Two Lion head boss and velvet backed chin chain. The mortar board and skull still have superb finish although the yellow and blue band and red material show a few very minor nips.
The internal liner and frame are in very good condition and there are two marks being W^D and 3 1900. Complete with plume holder and red plume with correct tongue which has lost a little colour.
A really nice example lance cap $2885
A good Victorian 17th Lancers cap complete. Helmet plate with 4 Crimea Battle Honours, Central India and South Africa 1879. Two Lion head boss and velvet backed chin chain (parting company with the scales towards one end). The mortar board and skull still have superb finish although the yellow and blue band show a couple of nips.
The internal liner and frame are in very good condition and there are two marks being W^D and 3 years. Complete with plume holder and white plume with correct tongue which does appear somewhat long.
A really nice example lance cap to a very popular Regiment. $0
A great example of a Prussian OR's Kurassier Regt helmet. Maker stamped on inside "Otto Nachtigall Berlin 1915" (impressed on inside to main body of helmet at base of spike). Another cracking example of a lobster tail helmet complete with chinstrap, both cocardes and exceptional black leather liner.
Very good Condition SOLD
A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Corporal G. D. Thompson, 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Artillery, Australian Imperial Force, later Lieutenant in the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion
Single: Military Medal, G.V.R. (1063 Cpl. G. D. Thompson. 4/Lt: T.M. By: Aust: A.)
M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1916. The original recommendation states:
‘North West of Pozieres. I wish to recommend Thompson for distinction. During the period the Battery was in the trenches Thompson showed great ability and bravery. On the 8th August, the night of the attack by the 15th Battalion, he handled his men splendidly, and after having completed his firing he then remained at his gun through exceedingly heavy enemy barrage, and obtained the position of the advanced line of 15th Battalion and enemy position, thus enabling me to use my gun. His conduct throughout was most distinguished.’
George Dominic Thompson was born in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1893. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 1 October 1914. Thompson was posted to the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion, and served with them in Gallipoli before being evacuated to Mudros due to illness, 24 August 1915.
Thompson advanced to Corporal in June 1916, and transferred to the 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Artillery the same month. He served with the Battery in the French theatre of war from July 1916, and distinguished himself on the Somme during the following month. Thompson advanced to Sergeant in November 1916, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion in May 1918. He served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war and advanced to Lieutenant in July of the same year.
Thompson returned to Australia in January 1920, and was discharged in March of the same year.
Very fine $1850
Eagle head pommel with Ivory grip (small repair near pommel). Unusual silhouette blue surrounding etched panels in very good condition. Overall, a stunning piece.
$SOLD
SIX VERY RARE ORIGINAL KORMORAN DOCUMENTS
A highly emotive and very rare group of 3 documents to a German sailor Decorated and Killed in action during the HMAS Sydney / Kormoran action comprising:
1. Official death certificate for AUGUST BILGES, showing him as KIA in Australian waters and dated 22.Juli.1943.
2. Official Naval (decorated border) death scroll named to AUGUST BILGES designed to be framed by the family.
3. Iron Cross 2nd Class award document to " maschineobergefreiten August Bilges vom Kommando Hilfskreuser Cormoran'. Signed and dated 19.11.1941 making it an actual award for the sinking of the Sydney.
4. The transcript of AUGUST BILGES record in Germany supplied along with a copy of his photo from the German archives
5.Also included in this offering is a very rare document awarding Otto Dornis das Kriegsabzeichen fur Hilfskkreuzer (Auxiliary Cruiser Badge) from the German Office looking after POW’s dated 1943.
At the time of the Sydney action this badge had not been distributed and it is interesting to see German efficiency ensuring that their sailor is made aware of his award despite being a POW in Victoria Australia. Otto Dornis is identified in a group photo of POW’s in Australia.
6 & 7. Two extremely rare documents also issued by the same German POW office advising the promotion of a Kormoran Sailor Friedrich Krebs in 1943 and again in 1944 whilst being a POW in Australia.
There can be no other Australian Naval action which has caused so much emotion among the Australian public than the sinking of the "Sydney". These documents are a rare incite to the other side and very rarely if ever seen on the open market.
Note: These 6 items are offered for both their educational and extreme historical importance to Australian Naval History. They are certainly not an endorsement of Nazi ideology.
$8500
A Lincolnshire Regiment 1st Volunteer Battalion Officer’s Blue Cloth Helmet.
A rare round front peak of the 1879-1881 pattern, the skull complete with silvered mounts, the frontal plate crowned with laurel and Garter overlays, to the centre Sphinx/Egypt on black velvet ground, below title ‘The Lincolnshire Regiment’ with drop scroll ‘1st Volunteer Battalion’, helmet plate original to helmet, velvet backed chin chain, inner leather sweatband with crimson silk lining, embossed Joseph Ascher 428 Strand London,
Very good condition $2450
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
A MASSIVE NAVAL STANDARD FOR PRUSSIAN ROYALTY
This massive flag measuring 3.9 meters deep by 4.1 meters long is in incredible condition by still retaining full colour to both sides with only minor damage to the edge which does not affect any of the symbolism. The banners centre sports a large Prussian eagle within a shield on a large iron cross surmounted by a Royal crown and surrounded by the important symbol of Prussian Royalty being the collar chain and insignia of the Black Eagle Order. Each of the four corners display three eagles and a crown. Given the sheer size of this flag it would have undoubtedly been flown on a Battleship during Royal visits.
Originally sold by Helmut Weitze in 2005 for 3500 Euro and described as “Personal Standard of Prussian Prince Heinrich von Preussen the younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Grand admiral of the German Fleet and used on board the Battleship Castle”.
A unique opportunity to own an extremely rare Prussian Royal Standard of immense size in such outstanding condition
$4750
A MASSIVE NAVAL STANDARD FOR PRUSSIAN ROYALTY
This massive flag measuring 3.9 meters deep by 4.1 meters long is in incredible condition by still retaining full colour to both sides with only minor damage to the edge which does not affect any of the symbolism. The banners centre sports a large Prussian eagle within a shield on a large iron cross surmounted by a Royal crown and surrounded by the important symbol of Prussian Royalty being the collar chain and insignia of the Black Eagle Order. Each of the four corners display three eagles and a crown. Given the sheer size of this flag it would have undoubtedly been flown on a Battleship during Royal visits.
Originally sold by Helmut Weitze in 2005 for 3500 Euro and described as “Personal Standard of Prussian Prince Heinrich von Preussen the younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Grand admiral of the German Fleet and used on board the Battleship Castle”.
A unique opportunity to own an extremely rare Prussian Royal Standard of immense size in such outstanding condition
$4750
A Metropolitan Police Jubilee and Coronation medal trio to PC. J. GARRARD, D Division (Marylebone), Metropolitan Police.
Trio: 1887 Metropolitan Police Jubilee Medal (Bar - 1897) named to PC. J. GARRARD. D. Divn. 1902 Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal named to P.C. J. GARRARD. D. Div. 1911 Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal named to P.C. J. GARRARD.
VF SOLD
A Metropolitan Police Jubilee and Coronation medal trio to PC. J. GARRARD, D Division (Marylebone), Metropolitan Police.
Trio: 1887 Metropolitan Police Jubilee Medal (Bar - 1897) named to PC. J. GARRARD. D. Divn. 1902 Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal named to P.C. J. GARRARD. D. Div. 1911 Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal named to P.C. J. GARRARD.
VF SOLD
