William Ball
Sword
1794-1804
Scroll
William Ball
Sword
1794-1804
Physical Qualities
Silver, wood, steel, 34 x 4 3/8 x 2 in. (86.4 x 11.1 x 5.1 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Harry D. Berry, Jr., Baltimore
Object Number
1995.225
Baltimore silversmith William Ball made a number of swords with silver mounts. Here, a fierce eagle’s head tops the handle, which is further embellished with fine skeins of twisted silver wire wrapped around the carved wood. A similar sword is now at the Maryland Historical Society.
AMW Reinstallation 2014
American Wing Rotations 2020
American Wing Rotations 2022
American Wing Rotations 2023
American Wing Rotations 2024
American Wing Rotations 2025
Jennifer Goldsborough, 'Maryland Silver in the Collection of The Baltimore Museum of Art,' The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1975, p. 67. A.V.B. Norman and G.M. Wilson, 'Treasure from the Tower of London', Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, 1982, pp. 49-57, fig. 31. Jennifer Goldsborough, 'Silver in Maryland,' Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, 1983. pp. 74 & 77, figs. 14, 18 & 19.
Inscribed: Marked: 'W.BALL' on inside of knuckle-guard
On View at the BMA
