17th-Century Executioner’s Sword Features a Revealing Inscription
Swords are among the coolest historical items, captivating a lot of people due to their powerful nature. However, not all swords were used in combat. Some had a darker mission—such as executions. This purpose inspired blacksmiths and executioners to lighten the load with the help of motifs and legends embedded into the design. One such example is a 17th-century executioner's sword in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.









































































