Hanger (Hunting Sword), late 1600s. Jaspar Bongen the Younger (German, active late 1600s). Steel; gold and silver damascened hilt; overall: 73 cm (28 3/4 in.); blade: 57.7 cm (22 11/16 in.); quillions: 17.5 cm (6 7/8 in.). Damascening, the technique of hammering gold and silver wires into grooves cut to receive them, enlivens this sword's hilt. Further texture was added with wires to improve the user's grip, which allowed him to hunt with more control and accuracy. Hunting was a popular sport among the wealthy and many nobles owned tracts of forest, but peasants were prohibited from hunting on these lands.