Two-Handed Sword
- Culture
- possibly Swiss
- Culture
- possibly Italian
- Date
- dated 1617
- made in
- Switzerland, Europe
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 126
- Dimensions
- 65 13/16 x 18 1/4 x 7 3/8 in. (167.2 x 46.4 x 18.7 cm)
weight: 7 lb. 13 oz. (3.5 kg) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 60:1939
NOTES
Two-handed swords were used first in war by specialist troops fighting on foot. By the middle of the 16th century, they were more commonly used in sporting swordplay, or as part of the equipment of personal or civic guards. This sword is dated and was carried by a bodyguard of a Swiss official in state ceremonies and parade.
Provenance
c.1582–1639
Hans Wising, Lucerne, Switzerland [1]
William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), Beverly Hills, CA, USA
- 1939
Parish-Watson & Co. Inc., New York, NY
1939 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Parish-Watson & Co., Inc. [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the Parish-Watson invoice dated June 30, 1939 [SLAM document files]. It lists twenty-one objects (including 60:1939) and identifies them as previously belonging to the William Randolph Hearst collection. The relationship between Hearst and Parish-Watson is unknown. 60:1939 is designated on the invoice as lot 625 art.107. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[1] Wising's ownership is based on information provided by scholar Walter Karcheski Jr. [SLAM document files].
[2] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 8, 1939.
Hans Wising, Lucerne, Switzerland [1]
William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), Beverly Hills, CA, USA
- 1939
Parish-Watson & Co. Inc., New York, NY
1939 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Parish-Watson & Co., Inc. [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the Parish-Watson invoice dated June 30, 1939 [SLAM document files]. It lists twenty-one objects (including 60:1939) and identifies them as previously belonging to the William Randolph Hearst collection. The relationship between Hearst and Parish-Watson is unknown. 60:1939 is designated on the invoice as lot 625 art.107. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[1] Wising's ownership is based on information provided by scholar Walter Karcheski Jr. [SLAM document files].
[2] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 8, 1939.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.