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Source Description
The European sword is derived from the ninth-century Viking sword, which consisted of a straight double-edged blade and was suitable for slashing or thrusting. Throughout the medieval period swords became increasingly specialized weapons depending on whether it was intended to be used on horseback or on foot. A knight likely owned several swords according to his needs and preferences. Craftsman sought to achieve the technical superiority that in turn would provide his client with a distinct advantage.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
100182
label
Sword
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
100182
contentType
object
title
Sword
description
The European sword is derived from the ninth-century Viking sword, which consisted of a straight double-edged blade and was suitable for slashing or thrusting. Throughout the medieval period swords became increasingly specialized weapons depending on whether it was intended to be used on horseback or on foot. A knight likely owned several swords according to his needs and preferences. Craftsman sought to achieve the technical superiority that in turn would provide his client with a distinct advantage.
date
1400s
citation
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q60757257
genreSpecific
Arms and Armor
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 103.5 cm (40 3/4 in.); Quillions: 19.1 cm (7 1/2 in.)
cul
European (unassigned), 15th century
accession
1919.69
Source extras
tec
steel
tombstone
Sword, 1400s. European (unassigned), 15th century. Steel; overall: 103.5 cm (40 3/4 in.); quillions: 19.1 cm (7 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance, 1919.69
collection
MED - Arms & Armor
didYouKnow
Although now lost, this sword would have had a scabbard or sheath made of wood covered in leather to protect it from water so it wouldn't rust when not in use.
citations
citation
<em>American Art Association. Ancient Arms and Weapons and Accoutrements</em>. 1919.
page_number
lot 427
citation
Gilchrist, Helen Ives. <em>A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923</em>. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924.
page_number
Mentioned: p. 88, E9
citation
Fliegel, Stephen N.<em> Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. </em>[Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998.
page_number
p. 110, 172, cat. no. 192
citation
Fliegel, Stephen N.<em> Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art.</em> [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007.
page_number
cat. no. 128, p. 188
creditline
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
updatedAt
2026-05-29 05:25:25.078000
sourceId
100182
dept
Medieval Art
coll
MED - Arms & Armor
med
steel
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
73602ecc46300e6c