Hanger and Sheath
ca.1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
European hanger swords were the weapon of choice for seamen employed by the Dutch East India Company. The hilt and fittings of this sword were probably added to the European blade by Japanese émigrés in the Dutch colony of Batavia (Jakarta). They were made using the sawasa technique of gilded copper alloy with black lacquer detailing. The level of workmanship suggests that the sword belonged to a high-ranking company official.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | German steel blade; gilded copper alloy mounts with black lacquer detailing (sawasa); wood scabbard covered in rayskin |
| Brief description | Hanger and sheath, the hilt and mounts lacquered and gilded sawasa alloy, the sheath rayskin, etched and gilt German blade, Japan, ca. 1700 |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased from the Funds of the Farquharson Bequest |
| Summary | European hanger swords were the weapon of choice for seamen employed by the Dutch East India Company. The hilt and fittings of this sword were probably added to the European blade by Japanese émigrés in the Dutch colony of Batavia (Jakarta). They were made using the sawasa technique of gilded copper alloy with black lacquer detailing. The level of workmanship suggests that the sword belonged to a high-ranking company official. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hayward, J.F. Swords and Daggers. London: HMSO, 1963 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.63&A-1950 |
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| Record created | March 25, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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