Cleveland Museum of Art

Sword

Date

1400s

Medium

steel; wood and leather grip

Culture

Germany (?)

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

During medieval times, everyday objects carried deep spiritual meanings. The knight's sword was perceived as the noblest of weapons because its shape symbolized the cross on which Christ died. The unornamented surfaces and signs of use on this sword and those similar to it lead us to believe that they were used in battle. Despite their utilitarian purpose, the blacksmith added details to the handles and hilts to make them visually appealing.

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