Oakeshott Type XIV from New York Metropolitan Museum of Art

Date: ca. 1400

Culture: Western European

Medium: Steel, Silver, Copper alloy, Leather

Dimensions: Weight, 3 lb. 11 oz. (1673 g)

Length: 40 1/4 in. (102.24 cm)

Credit Line: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932

Accession Number: 32.75.225

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 370

The silver-embellished pommel and the crossguard made of copper alloy (rather than steel) wrapped with silver wire suggest that this sword was intended for presentation or for ceremonial use rather than as a fighting weapon. The Latin quotation inscribed on the pommel reads in translation, "here, too, virture has its due reward" (Virgil, Aeneid, book 1, line 461). The inscription (now illegible) on the blade is an early example of the use of etching for the decoration of a weapon. Approximately a century later, acid etching became a popular way to embellish arms and armor and an important technique in printmaking.

Inscription: Inscribed on the pommel in latin, in gothic lettering: "sunt hic etiam sua praemia lavdi"

Translation: "Here, too, virtue (valor) has its due reward" (Virgil, Aeneid, Book 1, line 461)

Inscribed on the blade in latin, in large slightly raised gothic lettering, now illegible: "DOMIN...TEMPOR[A?]SANCTA MA[RIA?]"

For more information on Oakeshott Type XIV Swords see this extract from Ewart Oakeshott’s Records of the Medieval Sword: sword-site.com/thread/159/oakeshott-type-records-medieval-sword

Source: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/23367