The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of February 1, 2023

Glaive (with Arms of Giustini Family)

c. 1600–1620

Italy, Venice, 17th century

Steel, etched; wood haft

Overall: 184.5 cm (72 5/8 in.); Blade: 15.2 cm (6 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1532

Location

210A Armor Court

Fun Fact

The large number of surviving glaives that are decorated with the arms of Venetian families indicate its popularity in the city of Venice.

Description

A glaive is a long staff weapon with a large cleaver or knife-like blade. The flat steel blade is conducive to ornamental decoration such as heraldic devices. The decorative nature of this weapon made it a favorite for ceremonial use.

Provenance
-1916
Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1916-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Catalogue of Arms and Armour. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], 1900. cat. #632 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. 194, H45; Reproduced: Plate XLI, H45 archive.org
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. pp. 131, 167; cat. no. 97
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 111, p. 187
Exhibition history

European Arms and Armor from the Cleveland Museum of Art (Long-term Loan). Birmingham Museum of Art (organizer) (July 1, 1993-July 1, 1995).

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

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1532