https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/23367 Description from the Met Museum: The silver-embellished pommel and the crossguard made of copper alloy (rather than steel) wrapped with silver wire suggest that this sword was intended for presentation or for ceremonial use rather than as a fighting weapon. The Latin quotation inscribed on the pommel reads in translation, "here, too, virture has its due reward" (Virgil, Aeneid, book 1, line 461). The inscription (now illegible) on the blade is an early example of the use of etching for the decoration of a weapon. Approximately a century later, acid etching became a popular way to embellish arms and armor and an important technique in printmaking.
Open Access As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.
Inscribed on the pommel in Latin, in gothic lettering:
sunt hic etiam sua praemia lavdi
Translated: "Here, too, virtue has its due reward"
From Virgil, Aeneid, book 1, line 461.On the blade in Latin, in large slightly raised gothic lettering, now illegible:
DOMIN...TEMPOR[A?]SANCTA MA[RIA?]
Sword
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/23367
Description from the Met Museum:
The silver-embellished pommel and the crossguard made of copper alloy (rather than steel) wrapped with silver wire suggest that this sword was intended for presentation or for ceremonial use rather than as a fighting weapon. The Latin quotation inscribed on the pommel reads in translation, "here, too, virture has its due reward" (Virgil, Aeneid, book 1, line 461). The inscription (now illegible) on the blade is an early example of the use of etching for the decoration of a weapon. Approximately a century later, acid etching became a popular way to embellish arms and armor and an important technique in printmaking.
Open Access
As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.