"Colichemarde" Smallsword

Cultureprobably German

Dateabout 1750–1760

Mediumetched steel with traces of blueing, and cast brass with traces of gilding

Dimensions100.6 × 83.8 cm (39 5/8 × 33 in.), 1 lb, 9 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.360

DescriptionDouble-edged steel blade of “Colichemarde” form, of flattened hexagonal section for most of its length, becoming diamond-sectioned just above the point. The forte tapers only slightly for 7” below the hilt, from which point the blade narrows abruptly and begins a gradual taper to the acutely pointed tip. Both faces of the forte are symmetrically etched with an oval cartouche that is filled with a group of martial trophies, and above and below are intertwined strapwork terminals on a hatched, blackened ground. The whole is framed by a narrow plain strapwork border. Below this, just above the narrowing of the blade, is a decorative intertwined strapwork and tendril group.

The hilt is entirely of cast brass parts, once gilded, with traces remaining on the inside of the shell-guard. The hilt is Norman’s type 113 (p. 212 ff), with a pommel of type 88 or 89. The quillon block is tall, with slightly concave faces, and from the rocailled carved bases at the sides extend short quillons recurved vertically. These terminate in swollen, rounded ends, carved en suite, with a small teat. There is a set of the arms of the hilt (functional), and the quillon block is set into a mitered pedestal. This and the blade shoulder sandwich a heart-shaped solid shell-guard, concave to the hand. Both inner and outer faces are carved with rococo shell motives. The pointed end is slotted for the forward quillon. Extending from the common base of this and the forward arm of this hilt is a curved knuckle guard which is carved at mid-length with rococo shells. The upper end is carved as a volute, and is flattened at the terminal which is pierced for a screw to the side of the rococo shell-decorated pommel. The latter is rather globose on its lower half, narrowing egg-like to the top with integral button over which the end of the tang is peened. The pommel has a narrow, necked base, and is somewhat flattened in the plane of the blade. The brass grip is of oval section, swollen at the middle and tapered to integral molded bands at the ends, carved to resemble turk’s heads. The grip itself is decorated with rococo shells in bas-relief.
Label TextThe colichemarde was a hybrid form of smallsword, popular from the late 1600s to the mid-1700s. The smallsword was a descendent of the rapier, created to fulfill the demand for a smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable blade. The colichemarde has the very light blade of a smallsword, but with a thickened section near the hilt so it could be used to defend against a heavier broadsword.ProvenanceEx collection of Angelo Peyron (Florence, Italy) purchased by the Museum from Savoy Art and Auction Galleries (NYC) on November 6, 1954, lot #754, sale no. 450. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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