Design for a Sword-belt, Knife, and Stylus

ca. 1555
Not on view
Pierre Woeiriot was trained as a goldsmith, but is renowned for his work as an engraver and printmaker. His prints feature his own original renderings of portraits, biblical scenes, religious emblems, jewelry, and rapier hilts. This engraving of a sword-belt with elaborate mounts, the latter no doubt intended to be executed in silver or gilt bronze, is among his rarest prints. Most of the sheet is devoted to a detailed depiction of an ornate sword-belt consisting of a waist belt, a diagonal strap (called the side-piece or ceinturon), and a sword hanger, which comprises two loops called slings. Each of these elements is adorned with elaborate figural fittings and buckles. In use, the scabbard of a sword or rapier would be held securely in the slings, with the diagonal strap keeping the scabbard at the desired angle. The initials PW (for Pierre Woeiriot) appear on the blade of an axe, seen just to the left of the figure of a Roman warrior, which is found on the fitting at the top of the slings. Arranged horizontally in the bottom left quarter of the sheet, below the diagonal strap, there is a stylet or bodkin above a knife, each with a complex figural grip.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Design for a Sword-belt, Knife, and Stylus
  • Artist: Pierre Woeiriot de Bouzey II (French, Neufchâteau 1532–1599 Damblain)
  • Date: ca. 1555
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: 7 3/16 x 9 3/4 in. (18.3 x 24.7 cm)
  • Classification: Works on Paper-Engravings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Kenneth and Vivian Lam Gift, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.697
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.