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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.
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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
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