Presentation Smallsword with Scabbard of Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot (1711–1794)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot (1711–1794) was presented with this sword by the residents of the English island of Jersey (Channel Islands) for having saved them from attack by the French fleet in 1779. A band wound around the grip bears a Latin inscription that reads in translation: "The Island of Jersey, delivered, presents this in gratitude, 1780." The urn-shaped pommel is an early example of what later became a characteristic feature of English Neoclassical hilts.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art