Cavalry Officer's Saber

Silversmith Hilt by John Lynch American

ca. 1810

Not on view

This saber exemplifies the appeal of simple hilt designs in America from the Colonial to the Federal era, and is remarkable among the handful of comparable sabers that survive for the fact that it is the only known example of its type with a signed hilt. The work of John Lynch, a Baltimore silversmith and watch and clock-maker, the hilt is closely related in form and even decoration to that of the saber of Captain Thorndick Chase of Baltimore (1755–1838) in the Maryland Historical Society, and to the hilts of a few additional specimens, which are traditionally thought to have been made in Philadelphia. It occupies a special place in Lynch's work, as his silver hilts for swords and another saber customarily feature eagle-shaped pommels and grips of ivory.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Cavalry Officer's Saber
Silversmith: Hilt by John Lynch (American, Baltimore 1761–1848 Baltimore)
Date: ca. 1810
Geography: Baltimore, Maryland
Culture: American, Baltimore
Medium: Steel, silver, wood, gold
Dimensions: H. 39 7/8 in. (101.3 cm); H. of blade 34 1/4 in. (87 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 9.6 oz. (725.7 g)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Bequest, 2015
Object Number: 2015.127
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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