SUN CHILD

Ceremonial sword with scabbard (blade late medieval period, hilt and scabbard around 1560)

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

Ceremonial sword, possibly intended for use in funeral processions. The black velvet scabbard and imperial eagle-head quillons suggest it may have been carried during the funeral ceremonies of Emperor Ferdinand I in 1564.

Type: sword, ceremonial weapon, possibly funeral weapon

Origin: Blade: Passau (?); hilt and scabbard: Netherlands

Material: Iron, silver, wood, velvet, brass

Technique: Forging, casting, fire gilding, engraving, punching, brass damascening

Decoration: Pommel of four angel heads; grip with male and female heads within strapwork; guard with a lion's head and eagle-head quillons; locket with two serpents, a Medusa head, a scorpion and two lizards; chape with a lion's head, Bellona and an angel head.

Marks: Passau Wolf and a left-parted shield in brass damascening on both sides of the blade; unidentified goldsmith's mark on the crossguard

Accessories: Black velvet-covered wooden scabbard with fire-gilt silver locket and chape