Walking Stick with Companion Hunting Sword, Knife, and Scabbard

ca. 1780

Not on view

This seemingly unique hunting garniture was made for Maximilian Franz of Austria (1756–1801), the youngest son of Empress Maria Theresa (1717–1780), presumably before he became Prince Archbishop and Elector of Cologne in 1784. Comprising a sword with scabbard and byknife, and a matching walking stick, it is remarkable for the finely painted Meissen porcelain of which the grip and handles are made. Derived from a suite of etchings by the Augsburg artist Johann Elias Ridinger, and appropriately featuring scenes of the stag hunt, the decoration of the porcelain elements is executed in a shades of puce, a fashionable technique that was especially prized for the range of tonalities that it afforded.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Walking Stick with Companion Hunting Sword, Knife, and Scabbard
Date: ca. 1780
Culture: German or Austrian
Medium: Porcelain, silver, gold, wood, copper alloy, steel, leather
Dimensions: Walking stick (2017.23a); L. 33 13/16 in. (85.9 cm); W. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm); Wt. 10.5 oz. (297.7 g); sword and scabbard (2017.23b, c); L. with scabbard 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm); L. without scabbard 23 3/4 in. (60.3 cm); W. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Wt. 13.5 oz. (382.7 g); Wt. of scabbard 3.5 oz. (99.2 g); knife (2017.23d); L. 6 7/16 in. (16.4 cm); W. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm); Wt. 1.6 oz. (45.4 g)
Classification: Swords-Accessories
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Arms and Armor Gifts, 2017
Object Number: 2017.23a–d
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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