Sword
- Place of origin:
Amsterdam, Holland (made)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
- Credit Line:
Bequeathed by Francis Mallett
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Jewellery, room 91 mezzanine, case 80, shelf 1
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This is an early example of a small sword. The hilt bears the mark of a goldsmith and is elaborately decorated with enamel and gold wire. Later blades were often mass-produced but this one has been cut down from a prized Toledo rapier blade of around 1620.
From around 1640, light swords with short, flexible, pointed blades appeared in response to new fencing techniques that emphasised thrusting at speed. They were worn increasingly with civilian clothes as ‘small swords’, offering a means of self-defence but largely denoting status for the well-dressed gentleman.
Small swords were items of male jewellery. By the 1750s, their elaborate gold and silver hilts, mounted with precious stones and fine enamelling, were the products of the goldsmith and jeweller rather than the swordsmith. They made fitting rewards for distinguished military and naval service. With their blades tucked away inside scabbards, it was their ostentatious and expensive hilts that carried their thrust.
Physical description
The hilt is enamelled gold, the blade inscribed 'Francisco (Ru)iz en Toleto' with a maker's mark of Joannes Kalkoen of Amsterdam.
Place of Origin
Amsterdam, Holland (made)
Date
ca.1670 (made)
Artist/maker
Kalkoen, Joannes (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Steel and enamelled gold
Marks and inscriptions
mark
inscribed 'Francisco (Ru)iz en Toleto'
Dimensions
Length: 68.8 cm blade, Length: 15 cm hilt, Length: 89 cm, Weight: 9.3 cm, Depth: 6.7 cm
Object history note
This is an early example of a small sword. The hilt bears the mark of a goldsmith and is elaborately decorated with enamel and gold wire. Later blades were often mass-produced but this one has been cut down from a prized Toledo rapier blade of around 1620.
Historical context note
From around 1640, light swords with short, flexible, pointed blades appeared in response to new fencing techniques that emphasised thrusting at speed. They were worn increasingly with civilian clothes as ‘small swords’, offering a means of self-defence but largely denoting status for the well-dressed gentleman.
Small swords were items of male jewellery. By the 1750s, their elaborate gold and silver hilts, mounted with precious stones and fine enamelling, were the products of the goldsmith and jeweller rather than the swordsmith. They made fitting rewards for distinguished military and naval service. With their blades tucked away inside scabbards, it was their ostentatious and expensive hilts that carried their thrust.
Descriptive line
Small sword and sheath, Dutch (Amsterdam), ca.1670
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Hayward, J.F. Swords and Daggers. London: HMSO, 1963
Handbook covering the Museum collection of swords and daggers from the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 19th century.
Materials
Gold; Steel
Techniques
Enamelled
Categories
Arms & Armour
Collection code
MET
