Loading

Set of Weapons (Rapier and Dagger) for the Elector Augustus of Saxony

Ulrich Jahn (Dagger Blade) and Meister Cr, Milanc. 1570-80

Renaissance and Reformation. German Art in the Age of Dürer and Cranach

Renaissance and Reformation. German Art in the Age of Dürer and Cranach

Having learned from the Italian weapons in the Rüstkammer in Dresden, in his commissioned works Jahn turned to modern weapon types such as the rapier and to the art of damascening, which was enjoying a heyday in Milan. He took full artistic advantage of working with precious metals within the restrictions placed on hiltsmiths as opposed to goldsmiths (chiseled-iron technique, gold and silver damascening, and silver reliefs as medallions). Jahn’s sets of weapons for the elector incorporated the latter’s maxims of faith and government in their pictorial programs: the silver medallions of the rapier depict scenes from the life of Christ; the damascened grip, scenes of King David. The main motifs on the completely damascened dagger are the Pelican with Her Young (pommel) and Saint Lucretia (mouthpiece of the sheath).

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Set of Weapons (Rapier and Dagger) for the Elector Augustus of Saxony
  • Creator: Ulrich Jahn (Dagger Blade) and Meister Cr, Milan
  • Date Created: c. 1570-80
  • Physical Dimensions: Rapier: L: 125 cm, L (blade): 110 cm, Wt: 1,660 g, Dagger: L: 35.7 cm, L (blade): 23.8 cm, W (blade): 2.2 cm, L (hilt): 7.2 cm, D (hilt): 3.6 cm, Wt: 334 g, Dagger Sheath: L: 27.9 cm, Wt: 224 g
  • Technique and Material: Rapier: double-edged blade, rhomboid in cross section, hollow grinding, marks; hilt: iron, blued, gold and silver damascening, partially gilded; medallions: cast silver / Dagger: double-edged blade, rhomboid in cross section, flattened; ricasso: blued, gold and silver damascening; hilt: iron, blued, gold and silver damascening, partially gilded / Dagger sheath: wood, silk velvet, black; mounts: iron, blued, gold and silver damascening
  • Provenance: First mentioned in the complete inventory of the Rüstkammer in 1606
  • Museum: Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Rüstkammer
  • Inv.-No.: VI 100; p. 30; XI 71
  • ISIL-No.: DE-MUS-845714
  • External Link: http://www.skd.museum/de/museen-institutionen/residenzschloss/ruestkammer/
  • Copyright: Photo © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Rüstkammer/ Jürgen Karpinski; Text © Renaissance and Reformation: German Art in the Age of Dürer and Cranach, A Cooperation of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, and the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen München, Catalogue of the Exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Nov 20, 2016 – March 26, 2017, Munich: Prestel, 2016; cat. no. 55 / Jutta Charlotte von Bloh
  • Catalogue: https://prestelpublishing.randomhouse.de/book/Renaissance-and-Reformation/Stephanie-Buck/Prestel-com/e504919.rhd
  • Artist Dates: active in Saxony c. 1570–80
  • Artist Biography: The cutler Ulrich Jahn of Annaberg, a center for silver mining, worked for Elector Augustus of Saxony from 1570 to 1580.
Renaissance and Reformation. German Art in the Age of Dürer and Cranach

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites