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:			

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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: 

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CREATORS

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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:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

	Marshall M. Fredericks Coll.; Peter Finer, Warwickshire
	date: 
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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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.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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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