Design for the Hilt of a Small-Sword 1755 - 1815

This detailed design by Italian artist Luigi Valadier for a small-sword hilt was likely created between 1755 and 1815. The drawing features a complex, ornate design, with a central, pear-shaped form adorned with foliate motifs and a delicate guard. The artist’s careful use of line and shading creates a sense of depth and realism, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and decorative flourishes that characterized 18th-century design. The drawing is now part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.