Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)

Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The long, sharply pointed knife-like blade has a convex cutting edge and has a short back edge near the point. The rectangular socket was formerly mounted with two side straps (now cut off). Each side of the blade is etched with a shield bearing the arms of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (1578–1637), later Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, surrounded by a collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece and surmounted by an archducal bonnet, above which is the monogram F. The back and base of the blade are followed by an etched line, and at the base of the cutting edge is a tiny flower. The shaft is modern. This weapon, called Kuse in German (derived from French couteau, knife), was a traditional arm carried by the bodyguards at the imperial Hapsburg court. The present example bears the monogram of Archduke Ferdinand and his coat of arms as it appeared prior to his coronation as King of Bohemia in 1617. The presence of the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece indicates that this glaive may date from 1596, the year in which the archduke was received into the Order.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)Glaive of the Bodyguard of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, later Emperor Ferdinand II (1578–1637)

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.