Print of Designs for Hilt and Sheath Fittings
Original title: Print of Designs for Hilt and Sheath Fittings
kurzbeschreibung
These designs for handle and scabbard mounts date to 1644 and are attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger. Executed in ink on paper, the sheet presents ornamental patterns for weapon decoration and measures 14.9 x 9.5 cm.
Description
An elaborate handle design with ornament, foliage and a face anchors the layout. At upper left, a figure in a lively pose is framed by an ornament; at upper right, another figure appears in a related stance. The lower left corner holds an ornament with a face and globe, while the lower right shows one with foliage. Black tones on white paper define the drawing, whose arrangement is symmetrical.
Context
Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/98–1543) was a leading Renaissance artist known above all for portraits and designs. The date 1644 is unusual, since Holbein died in 1543; a posthumous print or a later copy is conceivable. Designs of this kind for weapon decoration were common in the sixteenth century and often served goldsmiths or armourers as models. The sheet may have been used for making mounts.
Impact
Precise lines and a symmetrical structure produce a calm, controlled aesthetic. Ornamental details and figures give the sheet a decorative effect typical of the Renaissance. The restriction to black and white underlines the drawing's clarity and the care of its execution.
Technique
The drawing was carried out in ink on paper, with black tones predominating. Strong contours and fine details suggest a pen drawing. Such designs frequently served craftsmen as models, which they translated into metal.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)