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Congressional Presentation Sword and Scabbard of Major General John E. Wool (1784–1869)

Congressional Presentation Sword and Scabbard of Major General John E. Wool (1784–1869)

Samuel Jackson

Details
Palette

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Medium
Steel, gold, brass, diamonds, rubies
Dimensions
L. with scabbard 39 3/16 in. (99.6 cm); L. without scabbard 38 13/16 in. (98.5 cm); L. of blade 31 7/16 in. (79.9 cm); W. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm)
Origin
American, probably Baltimore
Department
Arms and Armor
Holding institution
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Image provider
metropolitan-museum-of-art
License
CC0-1.0
Credit
Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger and Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Goelet Gifts, 2009

Art Genome Taxonomy

12 tags

Subject Matter

  • Animals Both · 99%

    An eagle and multiple snakes are clearly visible in the hilt; Eagles and Snakes are also listed as catalog subjects.

  • Text Visual · 98%

    A vertical inscription is clearly visible on the front of the scabbard, although its complete wording is not legible in the supplied image.

Visual Qualities

  • Highly Ornamented Visual · 99%

    The hilt and scabbard fittings are densely covered with raised foliage, feather, scale, beaded, and other ornamental details.

  • Symmetrical Visual · 92%

    The hilt and crossguard are organized around a strong vertical axis, with paired serpent forms and balanced suspension fittings on the scabbard.

Time Periods

  • 19th Century Art Metadata · 99%

    The museum dates the sword and scabbard to 1854–55.

Geographic Regions

  • American Art Metadata · 99%

    The maker is identified as American and the place of origin as American, probably Baltimore.

Materials

  • Gold Metadata · 99%

    Gold is explicitly listed among the catalogued materials.

  • Brass Metadata · 94%

    Brass is explicitly listed among the catalogued materials.

  • Steel Metadata · 99%

    Steel is explicitly listed among the catalogued materials, including the blade and likely structural components.

  • Gemstone Metadata · 93%

    Diamonds and rubies are listed in the museum record, supporting the broader gemstone category.

Antiquities, Artifacts, and Religious Objects

  • Arms and Armor Both · 99%

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art classifies the object as a sword with scabbard in the Arms and Armor department, and the image clearly shows the decorated hilt and scabbard.

  • Ceremonial Object Both · 98%

    The title identifies it as a congressional presentation sword, and its elaborate decoration and formal presentation emphasize ceremonial display.

Source & rights

Samuel Jackson. Congressional Presentation Sword and Scabbard of Major General John E. Wool (1784–1869). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Catalog record ↗ Image source ↗ Image license ↗ Image-use terms ↗

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