Sword Hilt 1881 - 1882

"Sword Hilt," a gilded bronze sculpture by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, is a detailed and ornate piece of art. Crafted in 1881-1882, it depicts a scene of a crowned female figure with a mermaid-like creature, and a male figure in the background. The hilt of this sword is a testament to Carrier-Belleuse's meticulous attention to detail and skillful use of the gilded bronze medium. This artwork, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcases the artist's mastery of the Art Nouveau style, a movement that emerged in the late 19th century and emphasized organic and flowing forms.