Schiavona Broadsword

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Schiavona Broadsword as arms and armor (Italy, Venice · early 1700s).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

Usually used by the military, a broadsword has a straight, wide, two-edged blade a with basket-shaped guard that helps protect the hand.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this arms and armor as steel, leather, wood, brass.

The museum's collection notes: The schiavona-type broadsword features a complex barred guard that slopes forward. Its name derives from the Italian word for "Slavonic" and refers to the Slavonian corps who served as bodyguards to the Doge of Venice until the end of the Venetian Republic in 1797. Such swords were popular mainly with Venetians.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtSchiavona Broadsword

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