Reward sword of General Claude of Germany (1754-1813)... Lot 29

Reward sword of General Claude of Germany (1754-1813) by Boutet, Director Artist. Damascus blade about, 80.5 cm long, 3.5 cm at the heel, arrow about 4.5 cm, total length 100 cm without scabbard, length with scabbard 103 cm. Excellent condition. "Mounting with a gilded and chiseled branch in the form of a large column hosting a garland of quatrefoils enclosed in circles. The hook that connects to the cap draws a sheath with spiral moldings. The foot of the branch that breaks at right angles to the cruise is enriched by a reinforcement in acanthus leaf. The profile of the cruise is chiseled with a frieze of gadroons. The quillon opens up into a large scroll with moldings chiseled with a garland of leaves ending in a pearled arrowhead. At the top, a wonderfully chiseled leonine mask springs from a belt of pearls. The representation of the feline here is not purely decorative, but is intended to assimilate the victories of the recipient to the exploits of Hercules. The Lion of Nemea smothered in the arms of Hercules, who adorns himself with his remains, has often been used as an ornamental theme on officer's or luxury arms. The short tail of the cap hosts a beautiful palmette with leafy branches that is supported by a cluster of scales surmounting a corolla. The trumpet of fame, symbol of victory, framed by palms and pyramidal bouquets adorn the auricles. The handle is made of ebony, finely crisscrossed on the sides and fluted on the inside. The blade is made of damascus, with a slight curvature and a counter-edge towards the tip. It comes from the Klingenthal factory and is engraved on the back. On the heel and on both sides appears a golden quadrilateral in the frame of a frieze of "piastres"... Then the elements of the decoration are drawn in bright and gold on a matte background. On the external face and coming from the heel one notices a military trophy foliated followed by a knot which binds two horns of plenty and supports a ribbon enclosing the inscription: NATIONALE. Towards the tip a plume of feathers surmounts a leafy scroll. On the inner side and towards the heel, military trophies frame a column. Then, the same decoration as on the other side encloses the inscription: REWARD. The motif ends at the tip with a trophy in a wreath of foliage topped by floral scrolls. The scabbard in gilded and chiseled brass is cut with a crevice covered with black chagrin. At the entrance of the blade passage, the molded bowl is supported by a palmette and is extended on both sides by rocaille in crook. Underneath, a medallion in the form of a bulwark is highlighted by a double frieze. On the counter-guard side in the same medallion appears the signature: Manufacture à Versailles, Boutet Directeur Artiste. Two rosettes of laurel leaves support the pitons of the rings of brackets. Two decorative bracelets molded and chiseled with acanthus leaves frame the hollow. In the center and on both sides, the long bouterolle is enriched with a bouquet of refined elegance. Towards the sting and running along the back, a delightful fall of leafy volutes blossoms in a radiant medallion. At the birth and at the tip of this decoration an acanthus scroll springs from acorns. During the Italian campaign and as a reward for a brilliant action during the battle of Lodi, Bonaparte and the government of the Directory had wanted by this distinction to pay tribute to a faithful servant of the fatherland". Description realized by Bernard BRUEL for an article in the specialized press. Claude d'Allemagne, alias Dallemagne, (1754-1813). French General of the Revolution and the Empire, deputy to the Legislative Body from the year X to 1813, Baron of EMPIRE. Officer in 1790, Brigadier General in 1793, he followed the Italian campaign of 1796, wounded at the crossing of the Po, decided by a brilliant charge, the victory at the battle of Lodi, and deserved by his conduct at the siege of Mantoue, a sabre of honor and this mention of Napoleon Bonaparte: "The success was uncertain for a while, but I was calm; the brave 32nd half-brigade, commanded by Dallemagne, was there." He contributed to the victories of Castiglione and Roveredo, was appointed Major General in 1796, and in 1798 was put in charge of the army of Rome. Sent to the army of the Rhine after the rupture of the treaty of Campo-Formio, he seized Ehrenbreitstein (Coblence), and received, on the occasion of this success, pistols of honor. In March 1809, the Emperor placed him at the head of the 25th military division, then in August, at the head of the 1st division of the army of Holland. He was named Baron of the Empire in June 1813. Decorations and other distinctions: Knight of Saint-Louis in 1791, Commander of the Legion of Honor in 1804, Commander's Cross of the Order of the Iron Crown in 1807. Sabre of honor delivered in 1796 to General Claude of Germany by the General