Officierssabel Marine before 1900

This is an officer's saber of the marine, its maker currently unknown. The blade's lean silver form contrasts the hilt, which is opulent with gold tones. The grip itself, in shades of ivory, provides a textural counterpoint to the smooth metal. Notice how the saber's structure divides into three distinct yet connected parts—hilt, grip, and blade. This tripartite division isn't merely functional. Consider it as a semiotic structure, where each part signifies a specific aspect of maritime power and identity. The ornate hilt, a signifier of status and authority; the grip, a connection to the wielder; and the blade, the stark embodiment of martial force. The blade's curve and point, meant for piercing, bring forth structuralist ideas. We see not only the immediate function, but also the cultural and social structures which support it, and which are reinforced by this object. It is a symbol that goes beyond its singular purpose. Through its shape, materials, and symbolism, the saber represents a complex intersection of power, identity, and historical narrative.