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Two-Handed Sword

Artist
Master SB
Date
late 16th or early 17th century
possibly made in
Switzerland, Europe
possibly made in
Germany, Europe
Classification
Arms & armor, metalwork
Current Location
On View, Gallery 126
Dimensions
66 1/2 x 17 5/8 x 7 3/4 in. (168.9 x 44.8 x 19.7 cm)
weight: 9 lb. 1 oz. (4.1 kg)
Credit Line
Museum Purchase
Rights
Public Domain
Object Number
61:1939
NOTES
This is a typical two-handed sword. Its scalloped blade is decorative as well as functional, increasing the area of the cutting surface, while removing some metal and slightly reducing the weight. Despite the immense size of such weapons, most swords of this type weigh an average of 8-10 pounds.
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 61:1939) and identifies them as previously belonging to the William Randolph Hearst collection. The relationship between Hearst and Parish-Watson is unknown. 61:1939 is designated on the invoice as lot 625 art. 115.

[1] 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.

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