1927.83.19

Collection type

Object

Description

Short sword with double-edged, fluted and panelled triangular steel blade, riveted to a curved steel quillon bar. Hilt is of bone with brass filigree rosettes and gilt bronze pommel cap.

Geographical reference

Italy

Europe > Southern Europe > Italy

Cultural groups

Italian

Person

Field collector Unknown Collector

PRM source Stevens Auction Rooms

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1927

Date collected

By 1927

Acquisition information

Purchased: 1927

Materials and processes

Material Brass Metal, Material Animal Bone, Material Steel Metal, Material Bronze Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Riveted, Process Carved, Process Filigree, Process Cast, Process Gilded

Dimensions

Length: max 705 mm, Width: max 173 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1927.83.19

Research and responses

From V&A online collections database, accessible at http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O97392/cinquedea/: "A cinquedea is a large dagger with a double-edged, triangular blade very wide at the hilt and fluted in straight lines to the point. The quillons (crossbar to guard the hand) are short and curve slightly towards the blade. The name cinquedea is derived from the width of the blade which was supposed to five fingers wide at the hilt. The cinquedea was a civilian sword carried horizontally at the back of the belt and housed in a leather or cloth-covered scabbard. It was placed horizontally so that it could be drawn easily by the left hand. It was used primarily as a thrusting weapon designed for close combat and self-defence. There are very few variations in form but they were produced in a range of sizes. Most fall between daggers and short swords in length. Many had their blades etched in gilt...Cinquedeas were developed in northern Italy particularly around Venice and are mentioned in Florio's 1611 Italian/English Dictionary: Queen Anna's New World of Words." [HH 11/08/2011]

Search terms: Weapon, Sword