"Colichemarde" Smallsword
Cultureprobably
German
Dateabout 1725–1750
Mediumsteel, gilding, silver
Dimensions97.2 × 81.3 cm (38 1/4 × 32 in.), 1 lb, 4 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.314
DescriptionSteel colichemarde blade. Double-edge flattened hexagonal section tapering to acute point. Forte symmetrically etched with rectangular strapwork cartouche on hatched ground & gilded. Oval cartouche at center depicting sun-in-splendor, standing angel admiring flower & below this is Latin inscription "hoc lumine vivimus". Towards point are trophied groups, nearly identical, with 1 face having armored male bust, the other a male head with victor's wreath. Iron hilt, stippled & gilded with broken scrolling tendrils, lions, deer & hunting dogs, rococo shells. Symmetrical bivalve shell guard, arms of the hilt, baggy sleeve with short swollen rear quillon & "C"-shaped knuckle guard swollen at mid-height, its terminal plugged into base of pommel. Egg-shaped pommel narrowing towards turned base with turned button above. Reverse of pommel scene may be Jupiter (as eagle) and Ganymede, obverse is Cupid and unidentified female figure.
Original grip tapering to ends, wrapped in 3 styles of iron and silver wire & flat silver stock.
ProvenanceGeorge L. Maxwell; purchased by John W. Higgins on November 28, 1928 from Anderson Galleries (NY), lot 130. Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
about 1700–1710
