Combination Sword and Wheellock Pistol

ca. 1550–55

Not on view

A masterpiece of French Renaissance goldsmiths’ work and sixteenth-century technology, this richly embellished weapon combines a sword of classical inspiration with a wheellock pistol of the most up-to-date firearms technology. The relief ornament on the hilt includes classically inspired trophies of arms, masks, and, as a pommel, a monstrous lionlike creature. Probably made for a member of the court, the sword adds luster to the Met’s renowned collection of French arms and armor associated with Henry II (r. 1547–59), which includes a complete armor (Gallery 374) and a recently acquired bronze cannon (Gallery 371). This sword may be the one shown in a late seventeenth-century still life painting also given to The Met by Irene Roosevelt Aitken.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Combination Sword and Wheellock Pistol
Date: ca. 1550–55
Geography: probably Paris
Culture: French, probably Paris
Medium: Steel, iron, copper alloy, gold, silver
Dimensions: L. 35 in. (88.9 cm); blade L. 27 ½ in. (70 cm); W. 8 in. (20.3 cm); D. 2 in. (5.1 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 11 oz. (2132 g)
Classification: Combination Weapons
Credit Line: Russell Barnett Aitken and Irene Roosevelt Aitken Collection, Promised Gift of Irene Roosevelt Aitken, in celebration of the Museum's 150th Anniversary
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

From the same time and place

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Still Life with Silver and Gold Plate, Shells, and a Sword, Meiffren Conte French, Oil on canvas — Still Life with Silver and Gold Plate, Shells, and a Sword
Meiffren Conte
fourth quarter 17th century

Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59), Jean Cousin the Elder French, Steel, gold, silver, leather, textile, French, possibly Paris — Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59)
Jean Cousin the Elder
Baptiste Pellerin
ca. 1555

Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56), Peter Peck German, Steel, gold, wood (cherry), staghorn, German, Munich — Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56)
Peter Peck
Ambrosius Gemlich
ca. 1540–45

Rapier, Steel, silver, wood, Italian — Rapier
Italian
ca. 1540

Shield of Henry II of France (reigned 1547–59), Steel, gold, silver, French — Shield of Henry II of France (reigned 1547–59)
French
ca. 1555

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