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Basket-Hilt Broadsword (“Mortuary Sword”)
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The decoration on this sword's hilt includes an image of King Charles I of England (beheaded in 1649). Because the image resembles the king's death mask, this sword is known as a "mortuary sword." It may have belonged to Sir Thomas Fairfax, a general of the Parliamentary cavalry during the English Civil War (1642-51). Large, double-edged broadswords, designed for heavy cavalry use, were common from the 1600s through the 1800s.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Hilt: 17th Century; Blade: 18th Century |
|---|---|
| Date | hilt: c. 1640–50; blade: 1700s |
| Culture / Origin | Hilt: England; Blade: Germany, Solingen (?), Hilt: 17th Century; Blade: 18th Century |
| Medium | steel, chiseled; inlaid gilt- silver foil; wood and wire grip |
| Dimensions | Overall: 101.6 cm (40 in.); Blade: 85.2 cm (33 9/16 in.); Hilt: 13 cm (5 1/8 in.) |
| Department | Medieval Art |
| Type | Arms and Armor |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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