Plaque of Sword Pommel
Unknown Artist
ca. 1500
Medium
Bronze, gold
Dimensions
H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); W. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Wt. 4 oz. (113.4 g)
Classification
Swords-Accessories
Culture
Italian, Venice
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929
Accession Number
29.158.695
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Plaque of Sword Pom*, crafted in Venice around 1500, exemplifies the Renaissance fusion of functionality and artistry in arms and armor. Made of bronze inlaid or gilded with gold, this yet weighty accessory—measuring just 2⅝ inches high and weighing 4 ounces—was likely attached to a sword hilt, a weapon into a status symbol for elite warriors or nobility. Its Venetian origin reflects the city's prowess as a maritime powerhouse and hub of luxury craftsmanship during the High Renaissance. The plaque's imagery, featuring male nudes alongside women, evokes the era's fascination wi...