Hunting Sword of Emperor Maximilian I

[Jack Loomes]

[Editor's note: text translated using Google translate from the original German.]

1496, Owner: Emperor Maximilian I. Sohn d. Frederick III from Habsburg

Hirschfänger (Literal translation: Deer Catcher)

The cast brass, gold-plated bird's head pommel bears an engraved inscription in Gothic minuscules on six of its eight surfaces, of which only the first and third lines on the front could be resolved as "Maria, help us out of trouble". The handle, which is also octagonal, is filled with rosewood and ivory gussets on the main sides. In the center of each there is a figure of a saint carved from mother-of-pearl, probably Barbara or Katharina. On its side edges, the handle is decorated with narrow, silver-cast strips of leaves and tendrils. The crossguard is straight and twisted in a helical shape with iron-cut dog heads at the ends. The faceted, largely single-edged blade is decorated on the upper third with gold enamel on a blue background. On the front, Our Lady stands on the crescent moon; she put her foot on the snake. A canopy of branches rises above her on thin columns. This is followed by a two-line capital inscription with lush foliage in between: "MARIA. HILF. VN / .NS. AVS. NOTTG". On the opposite side, also under a canopy, is St. Sebastian. He is tied to a tree trunk and pierced with arrows. The two-line inscription reads: "HILLF. SANNDT. / SEWASTIAN". The accompanying, richly decorated black scabbard, in which two small knives and an awl (sharpening steel) are embedded, is made of cut and pressed leather. The dating of 1496 results from the so-called feudal sword of the secular treasury of the Art History Museum (inv. no. SK_WS_XIV_4), which also has gold enamel on a blued background, on the blade of which there are remains of the master's signature, the year 1496 as well as Maximilian's monogram and coat of arms series I. are located.

Location: New Castle, Gallery A

Date: 1496

Emperor Maximilian I. Son of the Frederick III of Habsburg (1459 - 1519) - GND
artist

Hans Sumersperger, (knife smith) (1492 - 1498 documented in Hall/Tyrol)

Materials

Blade: iron, forged, partly blued, partly fire-gilded (gold enamel). Handle: brass, partly engraved. Silver, cast, brass, bone, mother of pearl, carved. Wood.

Crossguard: Iron, forged, partially cut. Rivet: copper, fire-gilded. Knife: Blade: Iron, forged, partly inlaid with copper.

Handle: brass, fire-gilded, partly hallmarked. Bone, mother-of-pearl, carved. Wood.

Awl: Iron, forged. Handle: brass, fire-gilded, partly hallmarked. Wood.

Sheath: Leather, embossed and cut.

Dimensions

Sword: 106.5cm x 24.5cm x 2.8cm
Sheath: L 84.7 cm x W 4.3 cm x D 2.4 cm
Knife 1: L 25.6 cm x W 1.7 cm x D 0.5 cm
Knife 2: L 25.7 cm x W 2.3 cm x D 0.5 cm
Awl: L 20.4 cm x W 1.8 cm x D 0.5 cm

Blade inscription: “MARIA.HILLF.VNNS.AVS.NOTTG.” or on the opposite side
“HILFF.SANNDT.SEWASTTIANN” (Mary help us out of trouble) and (Help Saint Sebastian)
Divorce inscriptions “maria” or “hilf maria” (difficult to read)

Markings

Knife 1: a bladesmith's mark inscribed in copper, unidentified form
Knife 2: a bladesmith's mark of scissors inlaid on one side in copper

Vienna Art History Museum, court hunting and armory chamber
Inv. No. Court hunting and armory chamber, D 11

Source: www.khm.at/en/object/373833/