This sword, with its fine gilt bronze mounts, mother-of-pearl grips and blue and gold blade, is typical of a French-inspired high-ranking officer's parade sword of the period. The monogram on the grip is that of Charles XIV (aka Marshal Bernadotte), who succeeded as king of Sweden in 1818, having been elected Crown Prince in 1810.
Marshal Bernadotte turned against Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and is regarded by most Frenchmen as one of their more famous turncoats! However, he was married to Desiree Clary, who was Napoleon's old mistress from his 1798 Egyptian campaign. For this Napoleon forgave him much: indecision on the battlefield and actual conspiracy against his person. This sword may well commemorate the Treaty of Kiel, 14 January 1814, when Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden, viz the Norwegian, lion axe in hand, on the top scabbard mount. On the blade there is a coat of arms including the Vasa cornsheaf, a Napoleonic eagle and a bridge with houses over a river. Perhaps this is Bernadotte's sword?
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Edged Weapons : Swords : Scandinavian : 19th Century]
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