ÉPÉE
Digging sword with branches and pitones.
Wrought iron.
With provenance label in pen "Fragment d'épée trouvé en draguant la Seine au Pont neuf à Paris acheté Salle 5 Hôtel Drouot le 14 (?) juillet ... See the notice of this sale and the letter from Mr Manière Expert certifying its origin." Henri Manière, arms expert, active in the early 20th century.
Length: 69 cm.
Late 16th century.
History :
This sword evokes the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, which took place partly in the Louvre and Pont Neuf districts.
Many of the Protestants killed from August 24, 1572 onwards were thrown into the Seine from the Pont Neuf. A commemorative plaque on the bridge, affixed in 2016, serves as a reminder today.
Appraiser:
Cabinet Jean-Claude DEY - Honorary expert to the Versailles Court of Appeal
Arnaud de GOUVION SAINT-CYR
