Important saber belonging to Count Claude-Alexandre... Lot 72

Important saber belonging to Count Claude-Alexandre de BONNEVAL (1675-1747), general officer and adventurer. Mounting in the forte-épées style, in burnished and gilded iron. Egg-shaped pommel decorated with snakes and trophies of arms. Filigreed silver spindle. Spectacular openwork shell with interlacing snakes facing each other. Heart-shaped hilt also decorated with trophies and framed by snakes. Red cloth tie. Strong, heavy, flat-backed blade with slight curvature, 84 cm long and 5.2 cm wide at the heel, counter-edged at the tip (length 26 cm). Decorated at the base with a rocaille motif and a trophy of arms featuring a fleur-de-lys flag and an Ottoman flag. Back marked "Devaux". Blackened leather scabbard with central stitching, 86 cm long and 6 cm wide, with four burnished and gilded iron fittings. Cap with button, two rings of bélière. Bouterolle with asymmetrical sting. Iron splints, two of which are probably missing between the chape and the second fitting. This singular and atypical weapon, with its unusual decorative repertoire, a mixture of saber and sword, is certainly a unique piece made according to the wishes of its commissioner. Total length 102 cm. First half of the 18th century. Consultant : Mr. Bernard MOHANNA Claude Alexandre comte de BONNEVAL, born at Château de Bonneval in 1675 and died in Constantinople in 1747, was one of the most famous adventurers of the 18th century. Born into an old Limousin noble family, he served in Louis XIV's navy, then commanded a regiment. He entered Austrian service around 1705, fighting against France with the rank of general. Returning to France a few years later, he offered his services to the Ottoman Empire, converted to Islam and, with the rank of pasha, advisor to the sultan and chief of artillery, contributed to Austria's defeat in 1739, and helped the Turks in the conflict against Russia. Finally disgraced by the sultan and wishing to return to France, he died of gout in Constantinople on March 23, 1747. Provenance: a family tradition whose protagonists knew the pasha.