German Bladesmith: Hernandez Sebastian
● On view now — Gallery 239
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
Combination weapons became a fascination in the late 16th century as nobles and wealthy merchants collected curiosities of the natural and man-made world. Though artful in their arrangement, these weapons seem impractical for self-defense. Owners would have displayed them in armories or cabinets of curiosities.
Be the first to share your thoughts.
Sign in to join the discussion.
German — Walking Staff with Sword Hilt
Hilt: German
Blade: Western Europe
Pommel: Possibly English
Italian or Spanish — Rapier
Western European — Smallsword
Blade: Peter Munch
Germany, Solingen, c. 1595-1660 — Smallsw
Hilt: 19th century in mid-16th century Swiss style
Blade: Ge
Hilt: Flemish or Dutch; blade: French — Composite Smallsword
Northern European — Rapier
Austrian — Boar Spear
German, possibly Munich — Two-Handed Sword
Northern German, Brunswick — Two-Handed Sword for the Bodygu
Northern European, probably English — Transitional Rapier