A sword and pistols belonging to two swashbuckling 19th-century military men achieved impressive prices at leading London auction house Bonhams last week.
A Lloyds Patriotic sword awarded to Captain Arthur Farquhar (RN) was sold for £79,250 and a set of duelling pistols once owned by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Thornton achieved £67,250.
David Williams, director of antique arms and armour at Bonhams, said: ‘The market [for arms and armour] remains buoyant with interest coming from round the world for what was an outstanding collection of material. Interest in collecting antique arms and militaria continues to grow.’
Farquhar, was commander of HMS Acheron, but lost his ship and 67-man crew to a much larger French man of war after an encounter off Malta, while he was protecting a convoy of merchant ships.
Luckily for him, the subsequent court martial, in 1805, acquitted him of any wrongdoing and his behaviour was described as ‘highly meritorious and deserving imitation’.
Williams added: 'Farquhar was the living embodiment of the plucky naval officer who helped Britain to rule the waves by his willingness to take on overwhelming odds, typical of many men of his time.’
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Thornton (1757-1823) was a more complex character. A famous gambler, horseman and womaniser, he was the commanding officer of the West Yorkshire Militia in the early years of the 19th century.
Among his many mistresses was Alicia Meynell or Massingham, known as the ‘Norwich Nymph’. She was famous for competing in a horse race against a certain Captain Flint at York racecourse in 1804, and in 1805 at Knavesmire she won a race against Edward Buckle, a leading jockey of the day.
Thornton wagered 1,000 guineas on the first race, but reneged on the bet leading to an inconclusive court case. He then placed 2,000 guineas on the second race which Alicia won, however this led to his being publicly horsewhipped by the disgruntled winner of the first race.
Thornton, self-styled Prince of Chambord and Marquess de Pont, was also one of the most dedicated and flamboyant sportsman of his time, dividing his time between hunting, racing, shooting, angling and hawking.
Bonhams’ 30 November arms and armour sale netted £1.4m, which the auction house says is the highest amout of any sale of arms and armour in London this year.
www.bonhams.com
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