id:			95907
accession number:	1916.1616
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1916.1616
updated:		2023-03-03 07:01:11.094000

Executioner's Sword, blade dated 1634. Germany, 17th century. Steel; overall: 98.1 cm (38 5/8 in.); blade: 75.3 cm (29 5/8 in.); quillions: 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in.); grip: 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1616

title:				Executioner's Sword
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			blade dated 1634
creation date earliest:		1634
creation date latest:		1634
current location:		
creditline:			Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
copyright:			

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culture:	Germany, 17th century
technique:	steel
department:	Medieval Art
collection:	MED - Arms & Armor
type:		Arms and Armor
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Overall: 98.1 cm (38 5/8 in.); Blade: 75.3 cm (29 5/8 in.); Quillions: 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in.); Grip: 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

	inscription:	VIAT JUSTICIDET VERBUM CARO FACTUM, 1634
	translation:	
	remark:		

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		European Arms and Armor from the Cleveland Museum of Art (Long-term Loan)
	opening date:   1993-07-01T04:00:00
	<i>European Arms and Armor from the Cleveland Museum of Art (Long-term Loan)</i>. Birmingham Museum of Art (organizer) (July 1, 1993-July 1, 1995).

	title:		Armor Court Reinstallation
	opening date:   1998-09-10T00:00:00
	<i>Armor Court Reinstallation</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

	Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
	date: -1916
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


	The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
	date: 1916-
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact:
The blades of executioner's swords were often decorated with moralistic inscriptions.

digital description:
An executioner's sword is specifically designed and balanced for decapitation, not combat. It usually features short quillons or cross guards, as the hands did not need added protection, and a blunt end. In wide use during the 1600s, by the 1700s they were largely out of use except for ceremonial purposes.

wall description:

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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

	<em>Catalogue of Arms and Armour</em>. Vol. 4, <em>17th to 19th century and a few pieces of iron work</em>. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], [1900-1915].
	page number: 	Mentioned and Reproduced: No. (207) 226
	url:		https://archive.org/details/CatArmsArmour4/page/n180

	Gilchrist, Helen Ives. <em>A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms &amp; Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923</em>. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924.
	page number: 	Mentioned: pp. 115-116, E67
	url:		https://archive.org/details/SeveranceCollection1924/page/n176

	Fliegel, Stephen N.<em> Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art.</em> [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998.
	page number: 	cat. no. 164, p. 170
	url:		

	Fliegel, Stephen N. <em>Arms &amp; Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art.</em> [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007.
	page number: 	cat. no. 141, p. 189
	url:		

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1916.1616/1916.1616_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1916.1616/1916.1616_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1916.1616/1916.1616_full.tif