Cleveland Museum of Art

Parade Sword

Date

c. 1500–1525

Medium

steel, etched and gilded

Culture

Italy, Ferrara, early 16th Century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This parade sword has a steel blade with etched and gilded bands of decoration. The decoration includes allegorical figures such as dancing satyrs and nymphs, amorini or cupids, and triumphs. The pommel, the rounded knob on the end of the handle, is flat and shaped like a shield; a raised rosette further embellishes it. The quillons or two transverse projecting members forming the cross guard, are flattened and drooping toward the blade. Ercole dei Fedeli was an Italian goldsmith and master sword engraver; his name appears on this blade.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.