Smallsword

Artistblade signed by Poncet (Lyon, France)

Date1779–1780

Mediumsteel with traces of gilding, silver, wood and leather

Dimensions96.5 × 78.7 cm (38 × 31 in.), 15 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsBlade forte with furbisher's etched inscription in script "Poncet/M[archan]d/Fourbisseur/quay Des/Celestins/à Lyon". Various Parisian date and inspector's stamps at upper end of knuckle guard; obverse of forward arm of the hilt; reverse lobe of shell guard exterior; anterior lobe, near edge on outer face below the rear quillon; rear of quillon-block plinth; underside of lower washer of grip; inner side of pommel, below button.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.355

DescriptionSteel hollow-ground triangular blade acutely tapering to point, the forte etched with trophy groups, foliate tracery, a crown device, & furbisher's inscription.

Cast silver hilt with elements in open-weave basketwork pattern with floral-filled vases in cartouches, broken scrolling, leaved motifs. Small symmetrical bivalve shell. Quillon block with baggy sleeve and small arms of the hilt. Straight rear quillon with swollen terminal slightly turned towards forward shell. Knuckle guard swelling at mid-height with terminal plugging into base of pommel. Inverted egg-shaped pommel with broad turned base & acorn-shaped button. Wooden grip tapering to ends and wrapped in four types of silver wire with "Turk's heads" at ends.

There may be evidence of this sword being used against a cutting weapon at the forte.
Label TextIn the smallsword’s role as costume accessory, its hilt was frequently embellished with, or made of precious metals such as gold or silver. The fine craftsmanship notwithstanding, this weapon remains potentially quite lethal, its light, stiff blade ideal for rapid and deadly thrusts. The blade is signed by a Lyonnais fourbisseur ("furbisher"), but this is the one part of the sword we can be reasonably certain was not actually made by Poncet. Some furbishers made hilts, but blademaking was a separate and highly specialized craft. The main role of the furbisher was to assemble and finish the elements, and to market the finished product. The small deformations on the blade near the hilt suggest that this smallsword has been used against a heavier cutting sword.ProvenanceGeorge L. Maxwell purchased by John W. Higgins on November 28, 1928 from Anderson Galleries (NY), lot 133. Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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