Partisan Carried by the Bodyguard of Louis XIV (1638–1715, reigned from 1643) 1678 - 1709

Bonaventure Ravoisie created this partisan, a type of polearm, sometime during the reign of Louis XIV in France. More than a weapon, it’s a symbol of power, designed to impress and intimidate. This object encapsulates the era’s obsession with display. The gleaming gold inlay against the dark metal is pure theater, meant to reflect the glory of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Note the sunburst emblem, one of Louis’ personal symbols. Weapons like this weren't just functional; they were part of the elaborate performance of power that defined Louis’ court. To fully appreciate this piece, we need to look at sources from the period: court records, descriptions of ceremonies, and even fashion plates. These shed light on the social and institutional context that gave objects like this their meaning and made them potent symbols of a very particular kind of authority.