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
European Arms and Armor from the Cleveland Museum of Art (Long-term Loan). Birmingham Museum of Art (organizer) (July 1, 1993-July 1, 1995).
title: Armor Court Reinstallation
opening date: 1998-09-10T00:00:00
Armor Court Reinstallation. 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
Catalogue of Arms and Armour. Vol. 4, 17th to 19th century and a few pieces of iron work. [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. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. 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. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998.
page number: cat. no. 164, p. 170
url:
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [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