No known artist (creator) - Western European
Sword
ca. 1400
Steel, silver, copper, leather
102.3 cm in length
This sword was created in Great Britain / Ireland (more broadly known as Western Europe) in about 1400 AD. The culture surrounding this piece relates to values placed on being a chivalrous, valiant, sword wielding knight.
The sword has the words (in Latin) "Here, too, virtue has its due reward", which is a line from the epic poem Aeneid about a warrior who became the ancestor of the Romans. The use of copper for the cross guard implies that it was for ceremonial not battle usage. The sword represents the profession of a knight as they were who would use swords and be awarded them ceremoniously. The poem line inscribed is meant to remind the knight who was give the sword that virtue is important. Perhaps this sword along with public recognition and probably a gift of land, was a reward for the knight's virtue on the battle field. This could possibly be considered a new treatment of the traditional theme of ceremonial swords. Often times symbols would be inscribed as oppose to words because some knights were not literate. The creator chose to inscribe words (in Latin) because he/ she believed that the recipient would be able to read them and understand their significance in relation to the Knight's own actions.
The artist uses shape in order to look similar to swords of the time period as a ceremonial sword should be recognizably at that time modern. The art is organized to look like a regular sword with a bit of decoration. Knights while respected were not the highest social group and thus did not have the nicest swords or weapons. The relatively novel technique of using acid to inscribe the poetry enhances the meaning that this was a ceremonial gift and type of reward. Whoever commissioned this sword to be created wanted it be one of a kind and mean something to the recipient.
The purpose of the work is to show the value of chivalrous knight-like behavior. The clues are mainly in the inscription being in Latin, being made using acid, and the usage of copper. Some implied themes include the value placed on specific (chivalrous) behaviors and the value (in a community) of a knight. The creator of this sword (as previously stated both the commissioner and the actual creator are being analyzed) aligned with pre-existing similar ideas regarding that virtue and chivalry is very important and that knights are valued (not most, but still a large amount). The title is Sword and thus is named by probably the museum so the title does not have any real significance. It is notable that the sword was regular enough to not garner a special name (Excalibur). The sword still signifies similar beliefs at the time it was created and now. In today's society the value of the art is mainly historical since it is one of the first instances of acid inscribing and the words regarding virtue from Aeneid are still significant as the epic is regarded as a important and telling work of literature.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/32.75.225
Jenna,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post. You always do fabulous work :) I find it very fascinating that a sword is considered artwork because it wasn't originally created with the sole purpose of being a piece of art. However, it definitely is artwork and historical knowledge can be gained from it as well. It is really cool to me that the use of copper for the cross guard implies that it was for ceremonial not battle usage. I didn't really realize there was a difference in battle and ceremonial swords. The use of the words engraved on the sword is fascinating as well and I like how it serves to remind the knight that virtue is important. I hope I someday own a sword lol. I very much enjoyed reading your blog post <3
-Elizabeth Koscielniak
Jenna, awesome explanation for the swords symbolic and actual value during the time it was first created. I'm surprised the sword was "ceremonial" as you said but fully believe it because of its ornate design. The copper handle being the indicator for this was just as interesting. I appreciated the way you interpreted how the swords physical design was symbolic of its social meaning. Great post.
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