Partisan Carried by the Bodyguard of Louis XIV (1638–1715, reigned from 1643) 1654 - 1704

"Partisan Carried by the Bodyguard of Louis XIV" (1654-1704) by Jean Berain is a testament to the intricate artistry of the French court during the reign of Louis XIV. The ornate, gilded metal head of the partisan features a complex design of scrolling foliage and a central sunburst motif, signifying the power and authority of the French monarchy. This exquisite weapon, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship and decorative flourishes characteristic of the Baroque period. Its elegant form, featuring a long, slender shaft and a richly embellished head, would have been a symbol of prestige and status for the king's elite bodyguard.