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Sword
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
The hilt of this sword is russeted, a decorative technique popular in France and England that imparts a brownish color to the surface of the metal. It was achieved by a chemical process that involved treating the steel surface with a mild corrosive medium. As an added benefit the process also helps protect against rust.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineSword, c.1550. Italy, 16th century. Steel, hilt russetted, leather grip; overall: 100 cm (39 3/8 in.); blade: 87 cm (34 1/4 in.); quillions: 6.3 cm (2 1/2 in.); grip: 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance, 1916.1715
