Arms & Armour
Hanger (Hunting Sword)
Permanent ExhibitionMetalworkArms & Armour
Details
- Author / creator
- Jaspar Bongen the Younger (German, active late 1600s)
- Object type
- Arms & armour
- Date or period
- late 1600s
- Dimensions summary
- Overall: 73 cm; Blade: 57.7 cm; Quillions: 17.5 cm
- Place of origin
- Hilt: Italy (?); Blade: Germany
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the Hartley Bequest Fund, 1916
- Category
- Edged weapon
- Armourer's / maker's marks
- "1553" (Presumed to be a commemorative date)
- Image rights
- Public domain (CC0)
About this object
Damascening, the technique of hammering gold and silver wires into grooves cut to receive them, enlivens this sword's hilt. Further texture was added with wires to improve the user's grip, which allowed him to hunt with more control and accuracy. Hunting was a popular sport among the wealthy and many nobles owned tracts of forest, but peasants were prohibited from hunting on these lands.
Materials and technique
Steel; gold and silver damascened hilt
Signature and marks
"1553" (Presumed to be a commemorative date)
