Gardes du Corps Smallsword and Scabbard

Bladesmith Guilmin French

ca. 1760

Not on view

This rare silver-hilted smallsword was carried by an officer in the Gardes du Corps, the premier cavalry unit within the Maison du Roi charged with the protection of the King and his household. The crisply cast silver hilt’s decoration features trophies, vignettes, flowers, and guilloche bands against a stippled background.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Gardes du Corps Smallsword and Scabbard
Bladesmith: Guilmin (French, Versailles recorded 1767–1775)
Date: ca. 1760
Geography: Paris; Versailles
Culture: French, Paris and Versailles
Medium: Steel, silver, gold, wood, leather, wool
Dimensions: L. of sword: 38 ¾ in. (98.5 cm); L. of scabbard: 32 ½ in. (82.5 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Bequest, 2017
Object Number: 2017.398a, b
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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