Hanger
ca. 1651 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
Object Type
This type of sword was known as a 'hanger' since it was hung from the belt. It was widely used for hunting and when travelling as it was more convenient than the longer rapier. The 'hanger' was very popular in England in the middle of the 17th century.
Historical Associations
Oliver Cromwell's victory over the Royalists at the battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651 was the 'crowning mercy' that effectively ended the English Civil War. On 15 September, Cromwell made a triumphant entry into London and Parliament granted him Hampton Court as a residence and £4,000 a year.
Trade
Peter Henckels was a member of a long established family of blade-makers from Solingen in Germany. This was then a famous centre for the manufacture of sword blades and Solingen cutlers had contracts with London retailers to mount their blades in English hilts.
This type of sword was known as a 'hanger' since it was hung from the belt. It was widely used for hunting and when travelling as it was more convenient than the longer rapier. The 'hanger' was very popular in England in the middle of the 17th century.
Historical Associations
Oliver Cromwell's victory over the Royalists at the battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651 was the 'crowning mercy' that effectively ended the English Civil War. On 15 September, Cromwell made a triumphant entry into London and Parliament granted him Hampton Court as a residence and £4,000 a year.
Trade
Peter Henckels was a member of a long established family of blade-makers from Solingen in Germany. This was then a famous centre for the manufacture of sword blades and Solingen cutlers had contracts with London retailers to mount their blades in English hilts.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Steel, etched, pierced and inscribed, ivory and leather |
| Brief description | Hanger, steel, etched, pierced and inscribed, ivory, blade made in Solingen, Germany, hilt made in England, ca. 1651, Peter Henckels |
| Physical description | Hanger, the blade etched with an equestrian figure and inscribed "OLIVIRUS CROMWEL ANNO DOMINI 1651" and "ME FECIT SOLINGIN". It has two broad fullers, pierced with four sets of four holes drilled in the form of a cross and separated by a Greek cross. The steel hilt has a morse ivory grip, and has a shell pierced with a grotesque mask. The butt is decorated with a quatrefoil filled in with foliage and baluster-shaped guard. Plain black leather scabbard with steel mounts. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Blade etched with an equestrian figure and inscribed 'OLIVIRUS CROMWEL ANNO DOMINI 16.51' and 'ME FECIT SOLINGIN' |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by J. D. Aylward |
| Object history | Maker's mark on blade probably of Peter Henckels of Solingen, Germany; hilt made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This type of sword was known as a 'hanger' since it was hung from the belt. It was widely used for hunting and when travelling as it was more convenient than the longer rapier. The 'hanger' was very popular in England in the middle of the 17th century. Historical Associations Oliver Cromwell's victory over the Royalists at the battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651 was the 'crowning mercy' that effectively ended the English Civil War. On 15 September, Cromwell made a triumphant entry into London and Parliament granted him Hampton Court as a residence and £4,000 a year. Trade Peter Henckels was a member of a long established family of blade-makers from Solingen in Germany. This was then a famous centre for the manufacture of sword blades and Solingen cutlers had contracts with London retailers to mount their blades in English hilts. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.1820-1944 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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