Smallsword for a Child
c. 1670
Medium
Steel, iron, gold, silver, and wood
Dimensions
Overall L. 75.5 cm (29 3/4 in.) Blade L. 64.2 cm (25 1/4 in.) Wt. 9 oz.
Classification
edged weapon-sword
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
117187
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Court culture dictated that young noble children were expected to be dressed like adults, and this led to the production of scaled-down fashion accessories like smallswords. The size of this sword suggests it was made for a boy of between four and six. A seemingly dangerous proposition, children’s swords were often tied firmly into their scabbards so that they wouldn’t hurt themselves or someone else.
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...