id: 162192 accession number: 2002.1 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/2002.1 updated: 2023-01-11 09:45:22.484000 Small-Sword, c. 1790–1800. Switzerland, Geneva(?) (blade: Germany, Solingen, early 18th c.), late 18th Century. Hilt: gold with blue translucent enamel; blade: etched, blued and gilded steel; overall: 97 cm (38 3/16 in.); blade: 81 cm (31 7/8 in.); hilt: 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2002.1 title: Small-Sword title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: c. 1790–1800 creation date earliest: 1790 creation date latest: 1800 current location: 210A Armor Court creditline: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund copyright: --- culture: Switzerland, Geneva(?) (blade: Germany, Solingen, early 18th c.), late 18th Century technique: hilt: gold with blue translucent enamel; blade: etched, blued and gilded steel department: Medieval Art collection: MED - Arms & Armor type: Arms and Armor find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 97 cm (38 3/16 in.); Blade: 81 cm (31 7/8 in.); Hilt: 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE Marshall M. Fredericks Coll.; Peter Finer, Warwickshire date: footnotes: citations: --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: This example shows the small-sword at its latest and most refined stage of development. Though highly reflective of French taste, it was probably fashioned in a Swiss workshop under French influence or by a French craftsman working in Switzerland. Worn publicly as an emblem of social rank, this sword was likely custom-made for an affluent individual to use on formal or court occasions. So-called because of its short blade, the small-sword emerged as the light and quick weapon of choice for aristocratic civilians during the 1700s. Such a sword was traditionally suspended at about mid-thigh from the left side of a belt, the hilt exposed through the opening of the gentleman's coat. Highly visible, the hilt invited lavish decoration through precious materials such as gold and enamels, as seen here. Considered a type of masculine jewelry at that time, small-swords featured a variety of hilt styles that went in and out of fashion. Many were decorated to match personal costume, and jewelers worked on the finest small-swords of the day. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2002.1/2002.1_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2002.1/2002.1_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2002.1/2002.1_full.tif