10 Most Expensive And Deadly Medieval Weapons Ever Sold
Technology and the military industry have changed the concept of war today. Nowadays, nations donĄ¯t necessarily require human power or machines to wreak a terrible catastrophe on the other side. A press of the button is enough for the destruction to take place.?
In the past, before technology was developed, brutal acts were a much more personal matter. For thousands of years, even before the advent of gunpowder, armies fought in fierce hand-to-hand battles. The battles were ugly, hard and extremely bloody, and you had to look your fighter in the eye as you ran him over.
The weapons responsible for this brutal and intimate act of warfare have become iconic and even become as famous as their owners. Many of these weapons probably took lives, and most of them are valuable from a purely historical perspective. Great conquerors who faced combat in person had their names engraved in history. Their weapons are left over from relics, of inestimable historical value.
But since everything has a price, here's a list of the 10 most expensive medieval weapons in the world:
1. 18th Century Bao Teng Saber
The Bao Teng Saber from the 18th century is the most expensive medieval weapon ever sold on the list. It was sold at $5.9 million in 2006 and two years later for $7.7 million. The sword blade is approximately 2,000 layers of steel and is incredibly decorated with inlaid gold, silver and copper. Total 90 of these blades were made in 47 years in the palace workshops of the Qing Dynasty.
2. The Gold-Encrusted Saber of Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870 was always seen carrying a pistol and a sword on his battlefield. This beautiful gold-plated sword was also used by him at the Battle of Marengo against Austrian forces in 1800. It was then passed down from generation to generation due to its historical past and declared a national treasure in 1978 which can be sold to a foreign buyer, but the owner must have an address in France and keep the weapon in France five to six months of the year. In 2007, it was auctioned off in France and was sold for the high price of $6.6 million. The Saber is crafted in gold even on its handle.
3. 15th Century Ear-Dagger From The Nasrid Period
This medieval weapon is a fantastically designed double-edged dagger and comes with two flat discs. They were widely used in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries and were introduced to Europe by Italy. This weapon was very decorated to make it an attraction and mainly used for hunting different animals. The decoration around the blade comprises the figure of a man with a crossbow hunting various animals. It was sold for $6 million in 2010.
4. The Dagger Of Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan is very famous for the Taj Mahal which he built for his wife Mumtaz but this very elegant dagger with ceramic decorations and golden details composing a real work of art this beautiful dagger also belonged to the Mughal Emperor. This weapon was also made with the detailing of Shah Jahan's personal effects which contains his name, place and date of birth as well as the title of nobility. It was sold at the Bonhams Indian and Islamic sale of London in 2008 at a price of $3.3 million.
5. The Gem Of The Orient Knife
The Gem of the East knife is a lavish knife that was designed by the world's best and biggest knifemaker, Buster Warenski in 1966. This beautiful knife was made with 153 9-carat emeralds and nine diamonds to enhance the beauty of its handle and took 10 years to complete. It was sold at a price of $2.1 million and holds the title of the most expensive knife in the world.
6. The Civil War Presentation Sword of Ulysses S. Grant
The 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877, Ulysses S. Grant was a famous figure and his sword is very precious to the entire world. He received this magnificent sword as a gift in 1864 in the position of General in Chief by the citizens of Kentucky in the USA. It is the weapon enhanced with 26 beautiful mine cut diamonds and was sold in 2007 at the Heritage Auction for the high price of $1.6 million.
7. Qianlong Imperial Hunting Knife
The spectacular Qianlong Imperial Hunting Knife belonged to the 6th Emperor of the Qing Dynasty led by the Manchus from 1735 to 1796. It was made entirely from antelope horns, which is quite rare and makes it more precious to everyone. The knife's scabbard was made of rhino horn and was tapered with six three-clawed dragons writhing in and out of the clouds above the waves. The knife blade is made with coral, turquoise, gold which makes it a rare and highly valued weapon. It was sold at Sotheby's in 2009 for $1.24 million.
8. Indian Talwar Blade From 17th Century
The 17th century Talwar blade is the royal curved European blade that was presented for auction at Sotheby's in 2007 and was sold at a price of $717,800 despite its estimated value at only 60,000 pounds. It has been enhanced with gold stroke decoration and has also been equipped with lotuses that depict the strong story of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
9. Admiral Lord NelsonĄ¯s French Officer Sword
Lord Nelson's sword was discovered in 2001 and was included amongst the thousands of papers and documents, medals, jewellery and weapons belonging to Nelson. They were hidden for nearly 200 years and were confidential under the care of Nelson's closest friend and confidant, Alexander Davison. This sword was also used by him in the battle of Trafalgar. Auctioned and sold at a price of $541,720.
10. A Kamakura Katana From The 13th Century
Katanas are very traditional single-edged swords and were used by Japanese Samurai almost for hundreds of years. They are made with the best materials and are considered the best and sharpest. Katanas are illegally exported to many countries outside of Japan. In 1992, about a total of 1100 Japanese swords were held for Dr. Walter Ames auction and the entire collection was auctioned off in a single day for $8 million and this Katana alone was sold at a price of $418,000.
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