Court-sword
Cultureblade
German
Culturehilt
French
Dateabout 1800
Mediumsteel with blueing and gilding, brass with gilding, possibly horn and textile fragments
Dimensions99.1 × 85.7 cm (39 × 33 3/4 in.), 12 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsReverse of blade with bladesmith's mark of bunch of grapes & letters "NK".
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.367
DescriptionHollow-ground triangular section acutely tapering blade, blued in forte with gilded etched decoration of traceries & foliate groups. Gilded bronze hilt in Empire fashion. Cast shell curved toward blade with period trophied group, classical arms flanked above lion's head & at center Roman fasces. Short rear quillon with shell-shaped terminal curved toward blade. Shell plate has inner triangular extension curved slightly towards grip. Gracefully curving knuckle guard with spherical base & carved scrolled terminal. Both guard faces carved in ascendent laurel leaf fashion. Oval pommel rounded at top which is engraved with leaved motif, circled by leaved band & extending toward flat rectangular section backstrap engraved with scrolled & leaved panels. Black horn (WJK: wooden) grip slightly tapering to ends, checkered on both faces & fluted on sides. Obverse face with decorative gilt bronze lozenge plaque. Base of grip with rectangular ferrule having honeysuckle motif.ProvenanceAngelo Peyron (Florence, Italy) collection purchased by Museum on November 4, 1954 from Savoy Art & Auction Galleries (NYC); sale no. 450, lot no. 7. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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