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Smallsword, known as a Mourning Sword

ca. 1790
Not on view
The deeply blued steel hilt is set with faceted steel beads, giving the impression of jewels. Beaded steel smallsword hilts, blued to nearly jet black, were in fashion in England during the Neoclassical period and are thought to have been worn with formal dress at times of mourning.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Smallsword, known as a Mourning Sword
  • Date: ca. 1790
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: Steel, textile
  • Dimensions: L. 38 in. (96.5 cm); L. of blade 30 3/4 in. (78.1 cm); W. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); D. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); Wt. 15 oz. (425 g)
  • Classification: Swords
  • Credit Line: Gift of Jean Jacques Reubell, in memory of his mother, Julia C. Coster, and of his wife, Adeline E. Post, both of New York City, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.145.307
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Presentation Smallsword with Scabbard, James Morisset British, Silver, enamel, steel, paste brilliants, wood, fish skin, British, London
Presentation Smallsword with Scabbard
James Morisset
hallmarked for 1797–98
Cross Hilt Sword, Clemens Horn German, Iron, silver, wood, copper alloy, steel, gold, hilt, British, London; blade, German, Solingen
Cross Hilt Sword
Clemens Horn
1600–1625
Harquebusier's Armor of Pedro II, King of Portugal (reigned 1683–1706) with Buff Coat, Richard Holden British, Steel, gold, leather, textile, British, London; buff coat, European
Harquebusier's Armor of Pedro II, King of Portugal (reigned 1683–1706) with Buff Coat
Richard Holden
Daniel Tachaux
ca. 1683 and later; buff coat, 17th–18th century
Armor Garniture of George Clifford (1558–1605), Third Earl of Cumberland, Jacob Halder British, Steel, gold, leather, textile, British, Greenwich

Armor Garniture of George Clifford (1558–1605), Third Earl of Cumberland

Jacob Halder
1586
Smallsword, Silver, steel, wood, British, probably London
Smallsword
British, probably London
ca. 1700

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