Sword Pommel
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Bronze, gold
Dimensions
H. 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm); Wt. 10 oz. (295 g)
Classification
Swords-Accessories
Culture
Italian
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Accession Number
42.50.157
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 16th-century Italian pommel, crafted from bronze and adorned with gold, exemplifies the fusion of artistry and armament. Measuring just 2 15/16 inches (7.5 cm) in height and weighing a substantial 10 ounces (295 g), it served as the counterweight at the end of a sword, transforming a functional weapon accessory into a miniature sculpture. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's and Armor Department—thanks to a 1942 gift from Stephen V. Grancsay—its surface features intricate depictions of male and female nudes, evoking the classical ideals revived during Italy's Renaissance. ...