Premium Thierry de Maigret
174
-
An exceptional and unique pof a senior carabiniers officer…
See original version (French)
174
-
An exceptional and unique pof a senior carabiniers officer…
See original version (French)
Estimate €2,500 - €3,500
Voluntary lot
Description
An exceptional and unique pof a senior carabiniers officer, probably a gift from the Emperor; aluminium hilt in the regulation style of the Second Empire, the tang adorned with coiled laurel leaves; in the centre, the insignia of theGeneral Staff, with the pommel and quillon formed of laurel and oak leaves, round pommel chiselled with a radiant sun, surmounted by a leaf-decorated knob, blade two shells, fully engraved on both sides, hinged at the back, wooden tang covered with aluminium filigree; verylight triangular blade in original mirror-polished steel, signed on the heel: ‘Couleau et Cie
Klingenthal’; length 89 cm. (Without scabbard; filigree loose).
This sword is very light, with a total weight of 195 g, as aluminium has a density of 2.7. It is the only aluminium sword I have come across in my career, and I am not aware of any in museums.
Second Empire period, circa 1856. Very good condition.
PROVENANCE: ARCOLE auction, RIEUNIER BAILLY POMMERY, 12 February 1990, lot 151, valuer Bernard CROISSY.
The secrets of aluminium were definitively unravelled and put to industrial use by the French chemist Henri SAINTE-CLAIREDEVILLE (1818–1885). He produced the first ingots in 1854 and was supported by Napoleon III, who funded his work.
Malleable, resistant to oxidation and very light, aluminium is now used to produce jewellery and small objects, but the cost of producing this metal was so high at the time that it rivalled the preciousness of gold, earning it the nickname ‘the Emperor’s white gold’. Thus, in 1856, the goldsmith Honoré-Sévérin Bourdoncle (1823–1893), at the Emperor’s request, a number of personal items, including the Imperial Prince’s rattle. This metal was presented
at the 1855 Great Exhibition. Industrial production did not really take off until May/June 1857. (Reference: Revue du
Souvenir Napoléonien No. 544, July/August/September 2025, article: ‘Aluminium: the new white gold’ by Napoleon III).
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Antique weapons, historical memorabilia and decorations
Auction location
Auction time
11/04/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like