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Edinburgh : George Hunter & Co.

Iron alloy (steel), blued steel, gold, ivory, leather, silk velvet | 99.5 x 14.3 x 14.0 cm (whole object) (whole object) | RCIN 29025

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  • A basket-hilted sword with a guard formed of faceted steel bars, a faceted steel pommel and ivory grip. The guard with a roundel inlaid in gold with the Scottish royal badge, a thistle slipped and crowned, all within a slender wreath of oak-like foliage. The double-edged steel blade decorated for nearly its entire length with fine gold etched designs on a blued ground. The decoration including military trophies, entwined sprays of roses, thistles and shamrocks, the crown of Scotland, the saltire flag, Minerva or Britannia, St. George and the Dragon, St Andrew, a scroll inscribed NEMO.ME.IMPUNE.LACESSET, the royal arms of England as used after 1816, the Star of the Order of the Thistle within the Collar, and a Highlander.

    Leather scabbard covered in crimson red velvet, the chape and locket decorated with etched gold scrolls and further insignia.

    Provenance

    Supplied for George IV for his visit to Edinburgh, August 1822 (RA GEO/MAIN/29600). Though the supplier was George Hunter of Edinburgh, it is likely the sword was made by a specialist sub-contractor in Birmingham such as Henry Osborn or Wooley and Co (Norman 1996).

    This was the first visit by a reigning monarch to Scotland since Charles II. The writer Sir Walter Scott oversaw arrangements for the reception, encouraging Highland chiefs to attend in their traditional tartan to give a show of unity in Edinburgh. David Stewart of Garth, one of the founders of the Celtic Society, helped devise the King's own Highland dress, which he wore to his first levée at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 17 August. His accoutrements included a dirk (RCIN 29023), power flask (RCIN 29024), sword (RCIN 29025), belt (29026) and sash (RCIN 29027). In 1829, some of these items were dispatched to the artist Sir David Wilkie to aid preparations for his portrait of the king in Scottish attire (RCIN 401206).

  • Medium and techniques

    Iron alloy (steel), blued steel, gold, ivory, leather, silk velvet

    Measurements

    99.5 x 14.3 x 14.0 cm (whole object) (whole object)

    1250 g (Weight); 517 g (Weight) (whole object)

  • Place of Production

    Edinburgh [Lothian]


The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.