The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

Small Sword

Small Sword

1700s
steel, copper alloy inlays; wood grip with steel wire
Overall: 90.7 cm (35 11/16 in.); Blade: 77.2 cm (30 3/8 in.); Quillions: 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1096
Location: 210A Armor Court

Did You Know?

The banded pattern on the hilt was achieved by carefully winding wire over a wooden core. The result was a handle with a textured surface that improved the user's grip.

Description

The small-sword was a civilian thrusting weapon customarily worn by well-to-do gentleman in civilian dress during the weapon's heyday in the 1700s, and were later worn on formal or court occasions. They were traditionally suspended at about mid-thigh from the left side of the belt, the gilt exposed through an opening in the gentleman's coat. Since it was highly visible it was subject to lavish decoration with precious materials and fashions came and went. Many were decorated to match personal costume and were truly an emblem of social rank.
  • ?-1916
    Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Catalogue of Arms and Armour. Vol. 4, 17th to 19th century and a few pieces of iron work. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], [1900-1915]. Mentioned and Reproduced: No. (223) 242 archive.org
    Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 123, E82; Reproduced: Plate XXXIII, E82 archive.org
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. pp. 121, 169; cat. no. 141
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 202, p. 192
  • Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
  • {{cite web|title=Small Sword|url=false|author=|year=1700s|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1096