Collection Highlights
The Course of Empire: Destruction
Date:
1836
Object Number:
1858.4
Medium:
Oil on canvas (relined)
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword w/scabbard: Tomas son ~Melvain
Object Number:
1965.35ab
Date:
1860-1865
Medium:
Steel, brass, fish skin; leather, brass
Dimensions:
Overall: 39 x 4 1/2 x 3 1/8 in. ( 99.1 x 11.4 x 7.9 cm )
Marks:
etched: on obverse of blade near hilt: "TOMES SON / & MELVAIN / NEW YORK"
etched: on obverse of blade near center: "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" on banner (part of eagle insignia)
stamped: on reverse of blade near hilt: "W. / CLAUBERG" and "SOLINGEN" above and be
Description:
Sword with slightly curved, single-edged steel blade with two fullers, one broad and one narrow, and etched designs on obverse and reverse; brass hilt with grip covered in fish skin and wrapped with twisted wire; oval counter-guard with openwork flower and scroll design on obverse side and quillon with globular finial with incised motif on flattened sides; helmet-shaped pommel with leaf border; leather scabbard with brass mount consisting of a band at throat with carrying ring, a middle band with carrying ring, and tip with roughly symmetrical drag.
Gallery Label:
According to the accession records, this sword, which appears to be an officer's sword, belonged to Ira Underwood (d. 1916), who served as a private in Company K of the 59th Regiment of the National Guard of the State of New York during the period of the Civil War. Underwood, therefore, may not have used the sword himself but rather may have acquired it as a collector.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Dorothy M. Burrell
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
