Degen van H. de Vos van Steenwijk (cadet kurassiers nr. 3) 1815 - 1830

This is a sword, a 'Degen' of H. de Vos van Steenwijk, cadet kurassiers nr. 3, made by S. de Jager. The composition of the sword presents us with a stark, vertical line. The rapier, itself, is a study in contrasts. The cold, steely blade descends from an ornate hilt of warmer, gilded metal. The handle, inlaid with pearl, offers a tactile invitation that belies the weapon’s intended purpose. This interplay between beauty and utility invites questions about status and power. Is it merely a functional weapon? Or does its craftsmanship speak to something more? The verticality might be seen as an assertion of authority, a visual echo of the social hierarchies of its time. Consider how the sword’s design challenges fixed notions of what a weapon should be. It is both beautiful and deadly, transcending simple categorization. The sword stands as a symbol, inviting ongoing interpretation and debate.