KATSU -ü-

The Sword of State

Dated: 1678-98

Maker: George Bowers (active 1660)

Culture: English

Medium and techniques: steel, silver gilt, the scabbard of wood, velvet, silver gilt/gilded, cast, chased

Measurements: 121.3 x 32.1 cm (whole object)

Provenance: supplied to Charles II in 1678, the scabbard supplied to William III

Acquirer(s): Charles II, King of Great Britain (1630-85). William III, King of Great Britain (1650-1702)

The sword has a broad, straight, flat, two-edged steel blade with etched decoration, and a cruciform silver-gilt hilt, the quillons in the form of a rampant lion and unicorn, a fleur-de-lis at the front of the quillon block and a Tudor rose at the back, with a portcullis above. The wooden scabbard is covered in velvet with applied silver-gilt emblems including a rose, thistle, harp and fleur-de-lis, with a portcullis, royal lions and the coat of arms of William III.

This sword, known as the Sword of State, was traditionally used by the monarch after the coronation, in place of the Sword of Offering (which was kept with the regalia in the Abbey), for all formal occasions, when it would have been carried before the sovereign. The hilt of the sword and the decorative emblems on the scabbard show that it was intended to be carried with the point upwards.

Two swords of state were made for Charles II - the first in 1660, and this one in 1678. It is described as ‘a new Sword of Estate most extraordinarily wrought Enchased and gilt’. The 1660 sword was used when Charles II attended Parliament, and this example was used at other formal occasions such as the ceremonial creation of the Knights of the Bath.

The scabbard carries the coat of arms of William III and so dates from his coronation. The 1660 sword no longer exists but this one has remained among the regalia in the Tower of London. It is still used occasionally by the Queen for events such as the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969 and the VE Day service in St Paul’s Cathedral in 1995.

Dress Sword

Dated: circa 1725-50

Culture: English

Medium and techniques: browned steel, wood, gilt brass, wire/chiselled, struck, pierced

Measurements: overall length 95.7cm; blade length 79.6cm

Provenance: “The purchase of l689 may be recorded by Henry Tatham’s bill of July 1799; “A Spanish sword ornamented with Slaves Heads and very curious grip”, at 5 pounds 5 s.“

The sword has a steel hilt with pear-shaped pommel decorated with grotesque faces, tang-button, two short quillons in form of heads in jaws of grotesque beasts, all chiselled and partly pierced. The wooden grip is bound with gilt brass wire. The sword features a straight two-edged wavy steel blade.

Dress Sword

Dated: circa 1725-50

Culture: English

Medium and techniques: browned steel, wood, gilt brass, wire/chiselled, struck, pierced

Measurements: overall length 95.7cm; blade length 79.6cm

Provenance: “The purchase of l689 may be recorded by Henry Tatham’s bill of July 1799; “A Spanish sword ornamented with Slaves Heads and very curious grip”, at 5 pounds 5 s.“

The sword has a steel hilt with pear-shaped pommel decorated with grotesque faces, tang-button, two short quillons in form of heads in jaws of grotesque beasts, all chiselled and partly pierced. The wooden grip is bound with gilt brass wire. The sword features a straight two-edged wavy steel blade.