Presentation Sword Honoring Commandant Jean-Baptiste Marchand (1863–1934) for His Conduct at Fashoda 1889

This presentation sword, honoring Commandant Jean-Baptiste Marchand, was created around the turn of the 20th century by Jean-Joseph-Marie-Anatole Marquet de Vasselot. Predominantly made of gold and steel, with enamel and stone details, it commemorates Marchand's role in the Fashoda Incident, a key moment in the European colonization of Africa. The sword’s elaborate hilt contrasts sharply with its simple blade, highlighting its symbolic function over practical use. The grip features an Egyptian figure and motifs, reflecting France’s colonial interest in Egypt and North Africa. These decorative elements involved highly skilled goldsmithing, chasing, and enameling techniques. The intense labor and craftsmanship required speak to the wealth and power associated with colonial exploits. While ostensibly a celebration of military achievement, the sword also reveals the complex relationship between artistic production, imperial ambition, and the socio-political context of the late 19th century, where fine art and craft were mobilized in the service of colonial ideology.