The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 13, 2026

A bronze sculpture consists of a horizontal blade tapering to a point on the left, its curved lower edge meeting a straight upper edge. To the right, the metal widens into a rectangular tang punctuated by a circular void. The surface is heavily textured with irregular pits and bumps. Muted green and brown patinas create a mottled finish, catching light across the granular, weathered wear.

Miniature Sword

500–450 BCE

Etruscan

bronze
Overall: 8.7 cm (3 7/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1967.33
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

This sword was found with the CMA’s Etruscan warrior statuette and—probably wrongly—attached to its left hand.

Description

Numerous examples of miniature Etruscan bronze armor and shields are known, often from votive contexts. Perhaps this small sword served such a function.
  • Said to have been found fifty miles west of Rimini, Italy
    Before 1900
    Italy, Private Collection
    1967-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Cooney, J.D. "A Miscellany of Ancient Bronzes." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art. 58: 7 (September 1971). 210-218. Reproduced: p. 216, fig. 10 www.jstor.org
  • Year in Review: 1967. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 29-December 31, 1967).
  • {{cite web|title=Miniature Sword|url=false|author=|year=500–450 BCE|access-date=13 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1967.33