Sword
1849 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Exhibited at the Great Exhibition and subsequently bought for £40, this is a copy of a sword made for General Changarnier and presented to him by the Municipality of Paris. Changarnier was a leading figure in suppressing the revolutionary movement in 1848 and 1849.
The hilt is decorated with the archangel Michael, and the use of oxidisation is typical of Froment-Meurice's interest in surface treatments and decorative effects. He was hugely celebrated as a jeweller and goldsmith, winning medals and accolades whenever he exhibited. The Museum bought extensively from the firm, an indication of its reputation. Much of this success was due to his workshop subcontractors, who included some of the finest artists and craftsmen of the period. Froment-Meurice's stand at the Great Exhibition was unusual amongst the French manufacturers for its mixture of plate, jewellery and objects of vertu. The 1854 catalogue of articles purchased by the Museum observed that "the handle of this sword is very elegant in design and perfect in execution".
The hilt is decorated with the archangel Michael, and the use of oxidisation is typical of Froment-Meurice's interest in surface treatments and decorative effects. He was hugely celebrated as a jeweller and goldsmith, winning medals and accolades whenever he exhibited. The Museum bought extensively from the firm, an indication of its reputation. Much of this success was due to his workshop subcontractors, who included some of the finest artists and craftsmen of the period. Froment-Meurice's stand at the Great Exhibition was unusual amongst the French manufacturers for its mixture of plate, jewellery and objects of vertu. The 1854 catalogue of articles purchased by the Museum observed that "the handle of this sword is very elegant in design and perfect in execution".
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast and chased silver and steel |
| Brief description | Arms and armour |
| Physical description | The hilt is of cast and chased silver, the grip formed as a figure of the Archangel Michael slaying the dragon, the pommel bears three shields inscribed '13 Juin 1849', '29 Janvier 1849', '16 Avril 1848'. The blade is plain double-edged and straight with three fullers. Steel and oxidised silver |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Copy of presentation sword made for General Changarnier. Dated 13 June 1849 |
| Object history | Acquisition RF: 91/1627 Exhibited at the Great Exhibition. Bought for £40 Exhibited at the Great Exhibition and subsequently bought for £40, this is a copy of a sword made for General Changarnier and presented to him by the Municipality of Paris. Changarnier was a leading figure in suppressing the revolutionary movement in 1848 and 1849. The hilt is decorated with the archangel Michael, and the use of oxidisation is typical of Froment-Meurice's interest in surface treatments and decorative effects. He was hugely celebrated as a jeweller and goldsmith, winning medals and accolades whenever he exhibited. The Museum bought extensively from the firm, an indication of its reputation. Much of this success was due to his workshop subcontractors, who included some of the finest artists and craftsmen of the period. Froment-Meurice's stand at the Great Exhibition was unusual amongst the French manufacturers for its mixture of plate, jewellery and objects of vertu. The 1854 catalogue of articles purchased by the Museum observed that "the handle of this sword is very elegant in design and perfect in execution". |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Exhibited at the Great Exhibition and subsequently bought for £40, this is a copy of a sword made for General Changarnier and presented to him by the Municipality of Paris. Changarnier was a leading figure in suppressing the revolutionary movement in 1848 and 1849. The hilt is decorated with the archangel Michael, and the use of oxidisation is typical of Froment-Meurice's interest in surface treatments and decorative effects. He was hugely celebrated as a jeweller and goldsmith, winning medals and accolades whenever he exhibited. The Museum bought extensively from the firm, an indication of its reputation. Much of this success was due to his workshop subcontractors, who included some of the finest artists and craftsmen of the period. Froment-Meurice's stand at the Great Exhibition was unusual amongst the French manufacturers for its mixture of plate, jewellery and objects of vertu. The 1854 catalogue of articles purchased by the Museum observed that "the handle of this sword is very elegant in design and perfect in execution". |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 164-1854 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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