The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 2, 2023

Hilt from a Court Sword

c. 1790–1800

England, late 18th Century

Polished steel, pierced and inset with faceted steel beads

Support: Cut and polished

Overall: 18.4 cm (7 1/4 in.); Guard: 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1923.1061

Location

210A Armor Court

Description

The entire hilt is made of polished steel, with faceted steel beads of different sizes arranged in rows and rosettes to give the impression of a "jeweled" hilt. This was an object of great luxury to be worn only with a gentleman's formal attire at court.

Provenance
Frank Gair Macomber; Boston; cat.#101.
Citations
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. 139, E125 archive.org
Exhibition history

The Cleveland Museum of Art (09/10/1998); "Armor Court Reinstallation"

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

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1923.1061