Collection Online as of May 19, 2022

Small Sword

c.1750–60

after a design by Jean-Baptiste Oudry

(French, 1686-1755)

France, Paris, 18th century

Steel, gilt and russeted, copper, wood

Overall: 105.4 cm (41 1/2 in.); Blade: 87.9 cm (34 5/8 in.); Guard: 7.9 cm (3 1/8 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1094

Location

210A Armor Court

Fun Fact

Although fully functional, this sword was used more for show—a perfect accessory for a fashionable gentleman having his portrait painted.

Description

The hilt, pommel, and guard of this sword are richly chiseled in low relief against a stippled gold background with animals (dogs, a stag, ducks) that appear to be adapted from paintings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686–1775). An elegant court sword such as this was an important accessory to a gentleman's attire, yet remained functional—it could be withdrawn for an impromptu duel.

Provenance

Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941) Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

1916-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Catalogue of Arms and Armour. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], 1900. cat. no, 491 archive.org

Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 134, E108 archive.org

Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. pp. 119, 169; cat. no. 139,

Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 196, p. 192

Exhibition history

Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).