Location

210A Armor Court

Fun Fact

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.

Provenance

?-1916

Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art

1916-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

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

Exhibition history

Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Small Sword

France, 18th century

Location

Fun Fact

Description