Blade maker:
Unknown
(Probably)
Hilt maker:
Unknown
The steel blade is straight and double edged, narrowing to a rounded point. It is probably European. The hilt is of gauntlet type, with a gutter-shaped cuff and a rounded hand defence, inside which is riveted a transverse grip. The blade is secured by long plain reinforces wit onion-shaped finials. At the end of the cuff is a loose curved bar attached to loops, to hold the forearm in place, and the side edges of the cuff are bordered by pierced studs, several retaining small loose rings. The cuff and hand are decorated with medial and edging applied bands of copper alloy, pierced with an edging of fleurs-de-lis, and on the hand defence with an applied face, eyes, eyebrows, nose and curly moustaches. The borders are applied with a mixture of iron, brass and copper rivets. The iron is bright and pitted and stained from earlier corrosion.
History note: From ‘Jounpore, AWP’, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh; Robert Taylor, MA
Given by Robert Taylor, MA
Length: 128 cm
Weight: 1360 g
Method of acquisition: Given (1879) by Taylor, Robert, MA
Circa 1800 CE - 1879 CE
This type of sword is unusual in that the hilt is formed as a gauntlet fitting over the lower arm making wrist movements impossible when fighting. It has a very characteristic face motifs with eyebrows, eyes, nose and curly moustaches.
Rivets
composed of
iron
( decorating borders of upper part)
copper
( decorating borders of upper part)
brass (alloy)
( decorating borders of upper part)
Cuff And Hand
composed of
copper alloy
( decoration of applied)
Blade
composed of
steel
Length 91.5 cm
Inscription present: ADD
Accession number: O.1-1879
Primary reference Number: 158300
Stable URI
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:
The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Gauntlet sword" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/158300 Accessed: 2024-12-22 18:51:10
To cite this record on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:
{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/158300
|title=Gauntlet sword
|author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-12-22 18:51:10|publisher=The
University of Cambridge}}
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https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/api/v1/objects/object-158300
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