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.

Light Sword

  • Makers: Meves Berns - blade, Gottfried Leigeb (German, 1630-1682) - hilt
  • Dated: circa 1650
  • Culture: Solingen, Germany
  • Medium: steel, iron; grip is restored
  • Measurements: 40 3/8 in. (102.5 cm)

This hilt is remarkable for its figural motifs: the pommel is chiseled as a lion, the quillons as Africans’ heads, and the finger guard with a mythical unicorn attacked by a hound.

Combined, these symbolize the ferocity of a noble warrior who uses his weapon in a pure cause though beset by adversity. The hilt is attributed to Gottfried Leygebe by comparison with ones that are signed.

It may replace an earlier one that was damaged. The blade is signed MEVES BERNS on one side and, on the other side, ME FECIT SOLINGEN (“Meves Berns of Solingen made me”).

Source & Copyright: The Walters Art Museum

Posted March 2, 2013 at 9:40 pm 374 notes

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    lol I was born in Solingen! xD
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