Dimensions L. with scabbard 38 5/8 in. (98.1 cm); L. without scabbard 38 1/8 in. (96.8 cm); L. of blade 31 1/2 in. (80 cm); W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm); D. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Wt. 13 oz. (368.54 g); Wt. of scabbard 2.5 oz. (70.9 g)
This is a smallsword with scabbard made by C. Liger, sometime before 1793. The sword presents a fascinating study in contrasts between lethality and ornamentation. Consider how the gilded filigree, set against the blued steel of the scabbard, creates a visual tension. The elegant, almost floral motifs, suggest refinement and courtly life, yet they adorn an object designed for combat. The handle, intricately wrapped and decorated, offers a tactile richness that belies the sword's deadly purpose. This juxtaposition invites us to reflect on the cultural codes embedded within objects of power. The sword, beyond its function, becomes a signifier of status, taste, and perhaps, a carefully constructed persona. It challenges any straightforward reading, engaging in a semiotic dance between beauty and violence. The very structure destabilizes traditional associations, prompting us to question how meaning is constructed through aesthetic and functional elements.
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