Officiersdegen c. 1800 - 1900

This "Officiersdegen," or officer's sword, of unknown date was created by an anonymous maker using materials of wood, metal, and silver. It's a relic of a time when social standing was often enforced, or defended, at the tip of a blade. This sword speaks volumes about power, status, and the performance of masculinity. It represents an officer's authority, while also revealing the stark class divisions of the time; for every officer who wielded such a weapon, there were countless soldiers who bore the brunt of its use. The cold, hard metal contrasts sharply with the warmth of the wooden handle, offering a tactile sense of the human hand that once gripped it. The aesthetic of the sword might evoke a sense of admiration, but perhaps it should prompt a deeper reflection on the structures of domination it symbolizes. What untold stories lie within its polished surface, reflecting both the light and the shadows of its past?