Sword
1545–1555
- Medium
- steel, hilt russetted, leather grip
- Dimensions
- Overall: 100 cm (39 3/8 in.); Blade: 87 cm (34 1/4 in.); Quillions: 6.3 cm (2 1/2 in.); Grip: 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.)
- Genre
- arms and armor
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Styles
Tags
Italy, 16th century
About
The hilt of this sword is russeted, a decorative technique popular in France and England that imparts a brownish color to the surface of the metal. It was achieved by a chemical process that involved treating the steel surface with a mild corrosive medium. As an added benefit the process also helps protect against rust.