Cup-Hilted Rapier
About 1650
Medium
Steel and iron
Dimensions
Overall: H.: 117 cm (46 1/16 in.); Blade: H.: 100.6 cm (39 5/8 in.)
Classification
edged weapon-sword
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106253
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 17th European arms at the Art Institute of Chicago where this Cup-Hilted Rapier about 1650 stands as masterful example of functional beauty. Crafted from steel and iron, the measures an impressive overall height of 117 cm (46 1/16 in.), with a blade stretching 100.6 cm (39 5/8 in.). Its distinctive cup-shaped hilt— a hallmark of the period—offers robust hand protection while evoking the opulence of Baroque design. Originating in the Applied Arts of Europe department and classified as an edged weapon-sword, this rapier embodies the era's fascination with refined ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...