Victoria and Albert Museum
The world’s greatest museum of art and design
Opening times
10.00 to 17.45 daily
10.00 to 22.00 Fridays
Semi-precious Materials
Sword Guard, about 1750. Museum no. A.114-1920
Sword Guard, about 1750. Museum no. A.114-1920
Sword Guard
France
About 1750
Mother-of-pearl
Museum no. A.114-1920
Given by Sydney Vacher
Originally sword guards protected the hand but in the 18th century, when swords were carried for ceremonial purposes, they became purely decorative.
