German Poniard, Horse Muzzle and Spurs, Antique Print, 1851

This is an original antique chromolithograph, printed in colors, from Le Moyen Âge et la Renaissance, lettered "ALLEMAGNE. 1. XVe Siècle, POIGNARD, ½ Grandeur. 2. XVIe Siècle, MUSEROLLE DE CHEVAL. 3. XVe Siècle, ÉPERON. 4. XVe Siècle, ÉPERON. (Collection de Mr le Prince Soltykoff, à Paris)". At the left is a long, slender poniard with a disc pommel, a lozenge patterned grip and a disc guard, printed in gray steel. At the upper right is a large pierced horse muzzle hung with small rings, with the capital letters B, G, G and C in its upper band, a lattice below, and a double headed eagle and a rampant lion in its sides. Below are two spurs, the upper one in engraved steel with a large star rowel, the lower one gilt with a small rowel and a buckle.

Here the caption is printed above the image, under the running heads "LE MOYEN-AGE ET LA RENAISSANCE." and "ARMURERIE." Beneath the image are the credits "A. Rivaud del.", "Chromolith. Lemercier, r. de Seine 57, Paris." and a faint "Kellerhoven lith.", with "F. Séré direxit" below. The caption translates as: Germany. 1, fifteenth century, poniard, half size. 2, sixteenth century, horse muzzle. 3, fifteenth century, spur. 4, fifteenth century, spur. (Collection of Prince Soltykoff, in Paris.)

Le Moyen Âge et la Renaissance was published in Paris in five volumes between 1848 and 1851. Paul Lacroix, who also wrote as the Bibliophile Jacob, edited the text, and Ferdinand Séré directed the illustrations, which is what the line "F. Séré direxit" on the plates records. The work surveys the customs, trades, sciences, arts and literature of Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Its arms and armor plates appear under the running head "ARMURERIE" and draw on collections such as that of Prince Soltykoff in Paris. The plates are chromolithographs, printed in color from a series of stones rather than colored by hand. This plate comes from the fourth volume, issued in 1851.

The pierced muzzle gives the sheet a striking centerpiece, and it frames well with other plates of arms and harness.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.