Ariel:
The Met actually bought this piece (see under Provenance) so I guess someone thought it worthy of collecting. It appears that the Fletcher Fund was used to pay for it.
Ian
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Originally Posted by ariel
Pure IMHO:
It is not exhibited; it is kept in storage.
Who knows what the "Fletcher fund" is supposed to be...
People donate all kinds of stuff to a multitude of organizations, often for tax purposes, and the museums are stuck with them.
It is too impractical for a fighting usage and too crude and unattractive for a decorative one.
My guess it is a souvenir, and likely not old at all.
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