Italian, first half 16th century

The hilt formed of a gilt copper alloy framework filled with silver panels, the framework decorated with running foliage against a ground of niello work, handle set with four (originally five) cabochon agates and a bezoar stone, edges of the grip inscribed AUXILIUM A SUPERIS, Help from above [ie. from Heaven or the Gods] and AUDACES FORTUNA IVVAT, Fortune favours the bold.  In 17^{th century, probably English textile covered wooden scabbard adorned with a gilt iron mouth locket and chape, the former carrying two fixed suspension rings, both locket and chape engraved with birds and foliage.} 

Hardres Family, Hardres Court, Kent, recorded there by George Vertue in 1742, by tradition gifted by King Henry VIII to Thomas Hardres of Kent
By descent to the Taylor Family, Hardres Court, 1863
Heinrich Angst, Zurich (1847-1922)
Frédéric Engel-Gros, sold at the Galerie Georges Petit, Paris 30-31 March 1921, lot 194
Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia, sold Kunstschätze aus dem Nachlass des Prinzen Friedrich Leopold von Preussen, Galerie Jurg Stuker Bern, Schweiz, 14-23 Nov. & 9 Dec., 1961, lot 2770
Private collection, United Kingdom

 'Vertue Notebooks', vol. V, Walpole Society, London, 1937-8, p. 9;
O. Ganz (ed.) L'oeuvre d'un amateur d'art. La collection de Monsieur F. Engel-Gros, Geneva & Paris, 1925, I, pp. 341, 348, II, pl. 125b
C. Blair, 'King Henry VIII's Dagger and Powder Flask', Journal of the Arms and Armour Society, forthcoming

Overall the condition of the dagger is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age and handling. The metal work of the hilt is worn and scratched along the edges. There is some warping to the crossguard which is also slightly loose. There are losses to the niello work. One of the stones from the crossguard is lost; others have some fissures and minor chips. There is some minor greening to the crevices. The blade is possibly later. The blade is slightly tarnished. There are some nicks to the blade's edge. The sheath is made from two joined wood halves which are loose from each other. The cloth covering is fairly worn. The engraved metal decoration is slightly loose.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This year is the 500^th anniversary of the accession of King Henry VIII.  The event has been marked by a number of publications, a television series, and an array of exhibitions, notably those of the British Library (Henry VIII: Man and Monarch) and the Royal Armouries (Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill; in the White Tower of the Tower of London). Among the artefacts which attest to the monarch's enthusiastic patronage of artistic and technological craftsmen, arms and armour form one of the most significant areas. They show that Henry's passion was fuelled by both the practical and tactical benefits to his numerous war efforts and, more importantly, by his personal belief in the strategic role impressive and beautiful armour played as propaganda - to him mightier leaders won wars.

In 1742 this long dagger was first recorded by the antiquary and engraver George Vertue, who included it in one of his notebooks:

a dagger wch was given by K. Henry the 8^th – from his side. a present to Sr ... Hard Kt of Harder [ie. Hardres] Court in Kent – it is set with some Mocco. or hard stones – in Gold ... which is still in the possession of this Family – upon the handle of each side is Engravd. AUXILIUM A SUPERIS. one side. the other. AUDACES FORTUNA IVVAT

Although this has yet to be confirmed by contemporary documentation, yhere is a great deal to support this identification. Thomas Hardres was at the siege of Boulogne and is named in the Kent section of the Muster Rolls for the forces in this campaign. Tradition also records that one of the sets of gates to the city of Boulogne found their way to Hardres Court; and a set of massive wooden gates studded with ornamental iron nails, which were almost certainly those from Boulogne, stood perhaps incongruously in the relatively small garden wall of the family house as late as the end of the 18th century (Jenkins, 1861 & Blair, forthcoming). Moreover, it is well known that Henry employed several highly skilled Italian painters and armourers. Studies of extant examples of Henry's Italian armour and weapons, such as that of the Wilton Armour (Milan, c.1540; reattributed in 2003, now Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and in the Royal Armouries exhibition in the Tower of London), indicate that he most probably received these from Francis Albert 'Millonour' (the Milanese), who on 16 April 1544 received royal license to import a number of riches, including "all manner of harness ... provided that they are first brought to the King to have the first choice" (Blair & Pyhrr, 2003). Blair has also noted a powder flask, dated 1531, of exquisite workmanship, now in the Czartoryski collection (no. XIV-413), that also came from Hardres Court and was also of an appropriately high quality and type to have been owned by Henry VIII.

This long dagger or short-sword of the cinquedea type is of almost unprecedented quality and befits a royal wardrobe. It is unique among such short-swords in being decorated with gems and a bezoar stone (which were thought to protect the bearer from being harmed).  The use of enamel on its handle also sets it apart from almost all other extant examples. In a comparison of the present short-sword with a long-sword made for Cesare Borgia (now in the possession of the Fondazione Caetani in Rome), Blair notes that "they are both by far the most richly decorated weapons of cinquedea type known, and are clearly princely objects".

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Jenkins, 'On the Gates of Boulogne, at Hardres Court', Archaeologia Cantiana 4, 1861; C. Blair and S. W. Pyhrr, 'The Wilton "Montmorency" Armor: An Italian Armor for Henry VIII', Metropolitan Museum of Art Journal, 38, 2003, pp. 95-144, see also page 49