Art of Swords

Sword
/sôrd/
Noun
1. A weapon consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved, pointed blade having one or two cutting edges and set into a hilt.
2. An instrument of death or destruction.

Sword

  • Dated: 6th 3rd century B.C.E.
  • Culture: European, Iberian
  • Medium: Bronze, silver, lapis lazuli
  • Measurements: L: 69.2 cm

The weapon is composed of two cast bronze elements: the blade, very elongated and regular in shape, is extremely thin; it is reinforced by a central tripartite rib and the hilt has an elaborate structure and is richly decorated, perhaps with a unique pattern; it comprises three parts, including a rectangular component (in which the blade fits).

The latter one is surmounted by an elliptical feature and a special type of pommel, embellished by two large discs, each with a central point in relief. The crossguard, positioned in a non-ergonomic position, stays in the center of the hilt and it has a small horizontal segment. The inlaid silver decoration is the most distinctive feature of this weapon.

Source: Sword Forum

Posted June 16, 2013 at 11:30 pm 726 notes

Persian Broadsword

  • Dated: Mid-19th century
  • Measurements: Overall length 92.6 cm

This sword reflects the neoclassicism of the reign of Naser al-Din Shah with symmetrical silver-inlaid hilt and scrolled quillons. The long, straight, double-edged blade etched overall, includes Kufic inscriptions heightened with silver at the forte, heroes, fish, and a snake likewise inlaid with silver. It has a wooden scabbard with iron mounts decorated in silver inlay en suite with the hilt.

Source: Copyright © Auction Flex

Posted June 16, 2013 at 6:30 pm 608 notes

Henry VIII’s Sword of State

  • Dated: English School, (16th century)
  • Culture: English
  • Medium: Steel, silver, gold & crystal
  • Location: Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK

The sword was said to have been given to Henry VIII by the Pope.

Source: All contents © Copyright 1972-2013 Bridgeman Art Library Limited

Posted June 16, 2013 at 1:30 pm 882 notes

Sword with Scabbard Dated: circa 1500 Culture: Nuremberg. Blade, Passau  Medium and Technique: Steel, brass, iron, silver, gold, enamel. Measurements: Total length 133.5cm; blade 89.5cm. Weight 2800g Elector August of Saxony had been given a new sword at the public investiture of the Saxon Electorate by Emperor Maximilian II in 1566. This two-handed sword is obviously a ceremonial sword featuring the coat of arms of the Duchy of Saxony and the Empire with the crossed swords. It has a Gothic designs and lily-shaped quillions. Source: © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013

Sword with Scabbard

  • Dated: circa 1500
  • Culture: Nuremberg. Blade, Passau 
  • Medium and Technique: Steel, brass, iron, silver, gold, enamel.
  • Measurements: Total length 133.5cm; blade 89.5cm. Weight 2800g

Elector August of Saxony had been given a new sword at the public investiture of the Saxon Electorate by Emperor Maximilian II in 1566. This two-handed sword is obviously a ceremonial sword featuring the coat of arms of the Duchy of Saxony and the Empire with the crossed swords. It has a Gothic designs and lily-shaped quillions.

Source: © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013

Posted June 16, 2013 at 9:01 am 303 notes

Rapier Sword

  • Provenance: a 1940s New York collection (possibly a Francis Bannerman acquisition)

A composite sword that stands out mainly because of its unique guard, very unusual for a rapier. It has a well made hand forged 38 inch long blade with deep grooves.

The sword features intricate scrollwork decorated pierced steel cross guard and straight guards with interesting quillon tips that look like claws were added in the Victorian era.

Source: eBay

Posted June 15, 2013 at 11:30 pm 618 notes

French Silver Mounted Dagger

  • Dated: circa 1700
  • Measurements: length 37 cm

Source: Copyright 2013 © Bolk Antiques

Posted June 15, 2013 at 6:30 pm 657 notes

Sword

  • Culture: French
  • Classification: Swords

Source: © 2000–2013 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Posted June 15, 2013 at 1:30 pm 227 notes

Ear Dagger

  • Dated: 16th century
  • Culture: Italian

Source: Copyright © Royal Armouries

Posted June 15, 2013 at 9:01 am 236 notes

English Rapier Sword

  • Dated: 1610-1630

A fine example of an English cup hilt rapier with a unique blade - it is single edged. The same maker created a sword almost identical. The sword is features in Peter Finer’s book - single edged and identical to shape and size.

Source: Copyright © Historical Arms & Armor

Posted June 14, 2013 at 11:30 pm 538 notes

Rare Caucasian Saber

  • Dated: Mid-19th century
  • Measurements: Overall length 83.8 cm

Made for a Muslim cavalry officer serving in the Imperial Russian Army, with light horn grips, the sword features nielloed silver mounts including a broad tangband, ferrule with applied star and crescent and recurved guard with triangular langet.

The well-forged, single-edged blade comes with very slight curvature, paneled and fullered for its entire length. The sword has a leather-covered wooden scabbard with wire seam, with large silver mounts engraved and nielloed en suite with the hilt.

Source: Copyright © Auction Flex

Posted June 14, 2013 at 6:30 pm 370 notes