Collection Highlights
Pierre Toussaint (ca. 1781-1853)
Date:
ca. 1825
Object Number:
1920.4
Medium:
Watercolor on ivory
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword and scabbard
Object Number:
1949.132ab
Date:
ca. 1813
Medium:
Steel, brass, ivory, gilding; leather, brass, gilding
Dimensions:
Overall: 32 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 7/8 in. ( 82.6 x 10.8 x 2.2 cm )
Marks:
engraved: on throat of scabbard (reverse side): "Read / Sword Cutler / Portsmouth"
Description:
Sword with straight, single-edged steel blade with full-length fuller and etched designs on obverse and reverse; gilded brass stirrup hilt with a shield-shaped langet decorated with a fouled anchor in relief on either side, quillon with flattened ball finial, and knuckle-bow with ring attached near juncture with pommel; carved ivory grip with cross-hatching and grooves wrapped with braided and twisted wire; lion's head pommel with backstrap extending to ferrule at base of grip; leather scabbard with gilded brass mounts decorated with engraved leaf garlands in openwork cable pattern; throat and middle band each with one carrying ring; tip with rudimentary drag.
Gallery Label:
In 1908, Captain Charles Hunt-Helmsley was in possession of three swords that originally belonged to Sir Provo William Parry Wallis, a British hero of the War of 1812. One was presented to Wallis by Sir Philip Broke, Captain of HMS "Shannon" (1949.130ab), and another was presented by a relative (1949.131ab). This sword, which bears no inscription to Wallis, is apparently the third.
Credit Line:
Gift of Dr. James Lawrence Pool and Mr. Beekman H. Pool
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
