Hilt from a Court Sword

1785–1805

Medium: polished steel, pierced and inset with faceted steel beads
Dimensions: Overall: 18.4 cm (7 1/4 in.); Guard: 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.)
Genre: Arms and armor
Museum: Cleveland Museum of Art

Tags

England, late 18th century

About

The entire hilt is made of polished steel, with faceted steel beads of different sizes arranged in rows and rosettes to give the impression of a "jeweled" hilt. This was an object of great luxury to be worn only with a gentleman's formal attire at court.