About this artwork
Transitioning from the long-bladed rapier, the reduced blade length and smaller guard size of this sword anticipate later smallswords. Like the contemporary cup-hilted rapiers displayed to the left, this sword was designed for a fencing style that relied almost entirely on the point. Its blackened iron hilt is finely encrusted with silver portraits of ancient Roman emperors.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 239
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Department
- Applied Arts of Europe
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Title
- Transitional Rapier
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Place
- Northern Europe (Object made in)
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Date
- Made 1650–1670
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Medium
- Steel, iron, silver, copper, wood
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Dimensions
- Overall L. 108.5 cm (42 3/4 in.) Blade L. 91.5 cm (36 in.) Wt. 1 lb. 4 oz.
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Credit Line
- George F. Harding Collection
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Reference Number
- 1982.3332
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/117181/manifest.json