Smallsword
Unknown Artist
1778
Medium
Steel, gold, silver, textile, paste jewels
Dimensions
L. 37 1/8 in. (94.3 cm); L. of blade 31 1/8 in. (79 cm); W. 4 in. (10.2 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Wt. 12 oz. (340.2 g)
Classification
Swords
Culture
French
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jean Jacques Reubell, in memory of his mother, Julia C. Coster, and of his wife, Adeline E. Post, both of New York City, 1926
Accession Number
26.145.303
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 18-century France with this stunning smallsword from 1778, a of the Arms and Armor collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Crafted from steel for the blade, with lavish gold, silver, textile and paste jewel embellishments on the hilt, this weapon measures 37⅛ inches long and weighs a mere 12 ounces—light enough for agile dueling or daily wear. The intricate use of precious metals and faux gems highlights the era's rococo flair, where functionality met high fashion. Smallswords like this one emerged in the late 17th century as refined successors to heavier r...