Hunting Sword

ca. 1750

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 376

This hunting sword is remarkable for its finely painted porcelain grip. Whereas other hunting swords with painted porcelain grips are known, this example appears to be unique for the shape of its integral pommel, which represents the head of a menacing dog. The sensitive modeling of the eyes and snout is asymmetrical to make the dog's growling even more naturalistic and expressive. The hunting scenes painted on the outer faces of the grip each provide a tableau in which the dog is shown in action, chasing a stag on one side and a boar on the other. The skill with which the scenes were painted and the combination of pigments used, for example to depict the mountains in each scene, is masterful.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Hunting Sword
Date: ca. 1750
Geography: Saxony
Culture: German, Saxony
Medium: Steel, brass, gold, porcelain, pigments
Dimensions: L. 26 3/4 in. (68 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Kay Mattson and Jeri Garbaccio Memorial Fund, in honor of Pierre Terjanian, 2023
Object Number: 2023.435
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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In the same medium

From the same time and place

Powder Flask and Wheellock Spanner Made for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony, Brass, gold, steel, wood, velvet, gold-threaded cord, German, Saxony — Powder Flask and Wheellock Spanner Made for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony
German, Saxony
ca. 1600

Hunting Sword with Scabbard, Steel, bronze, gold, wood, leather, Saxon — Hunting Sword with Scabbard
Saxon
early 18th century

Hunting Sword with Scabbard, Joseph Deutschmann German, Steel, silver, ivory, wood, leather, German, possibly Munich — Hunting Sword with Scabbard
Sword maker Grip attributed to Joseph Deutschmann
ca. 1740

Rapier, Peter Wirsberg German, Steel, silver, wood, German, Saxony — Rapier
Bladesmith Peter Wirsberg
ca. 1600–10

Walking Stick with Companion Hunting Sword, Knife, and Scabbard, Porcelain, silver, gold, wood, copper alloy, steel, leather, German or Austrian — Walking Stick with Companion Hunting Sword, Knife, and Scabbard
German or Austrian
ca. 1780

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