13th Century French Sword of Type XII

Date: 13th century

Culture: French

Medium: Iron

Dimensions: L. 36 1/8 in. (91.8 cm); L. of blade 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm); W. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 14 oz. (850.5 g)

Classification: Swords

Credit Line: Gift of George D. Pratt, 1925

Accession Number: 25.188.12

Provenance: Richard Zschille, Großenhain, Saxony, Germany (until 1897; The Collection of Armour and Arms and hunting equipments of Herr Richard Zschille of Grossenhain, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, January 25–February 1, 1897, no. 161, sold, for for £14 10 sh., to Forrer); Robert Forrer, Straßburg, German Empire (now Strasbourg, France) (from 1897); [Ehemalig R. Zschille’sche Waffensammlung, Rudolph Lepke, Berlin, March 21–22, 1900, no. 52]; [Kunstauktions-Katalog der vorzüglichen Sammlungen Hofrat Dr. G. J. von R. In K., Gustav Böhler, Mühlhausen i. E., Galerie Hugo Helbing, Munich, April 28–30, 1902, no. 798]; [unknown dealer, London, until 1905, sold to Keasbey]; Henry Griffith Keasbey, Eastbourne, Sussex, England (1905–25; his sale, The Henry Griffith Keasbey Collection, American Art Galleries, New York, November 27–28, 1925, no. 97, sold, for $170, to Pratt); George D. Pratt, Glen Cove, Long Island, NY (1925; his gift to MMA).

References: Nickel, Helmut. A Crusader's Sword: Concerning the Effigy of Jean d'Alluye. Metropolitan Museum Journal 26 pp. 123, 125, fig. 4. (1991)

For more information on Oakeshott Type XII swords see this extract from Ewart Oakeshott's Records of the Medieval Sword: sword-site.com/thread/676/oakeshott-type-xii-defined-ewart

Source: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32782