Description: Saddle or horse cantle with extensive battle scene decoration in the 16th century style. Polish flag on the right and undermined banner on the left. Two museum markings, one the museum of artillery which later merged to become the Musee de L'arme, Paris and the silver plaque over one of the repairs verso from the Science and Art Department VR which later became the Victoria and Albert Museum.

History: Likely the banner of Jan III Sobieski 1674-1696 Jan III Sobieski (1674-96) the last great King of Poland. This is his personal battle banner (standard). As the Grand Hetman of the Crown (the highest military rank of the Commonwealth) he did achieve several great victories over the Cossacks, Tatar and Turks (Chocim 1673). As the King, his biggest triumph was the victory at Vienna in 1683. Commanding the Polish, German and Austrian armies he struck the Turks besieging Vienna with the awesome force of his hussars and forced them to run in panic for their life. He was hailed as the "Savior of Vienna and Western European civilization" by the Pope and the Turks called him respectfully "The Lion of Lechistan." His troops gathered a huge loot abandoned by the Turks in their camp and hauled it happily home. The Turkish banners of Kara Mustafa's army were sent to Rome as a war trophy.

Provenance: Museum

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 3 | Height(in) = 11 | Width(in) = 25 | Depth(in) = 2

Size of Artwork(in): 11 x 25 x .25

Artist Name: Unknown

Medium: SIlver over copper

Circa: Circa 1700

Reinforced splits, missing center rivet