Arms & Armour
Seven-Flanged Mace
Permanent ExhibitionArms & Armour
Details
- Author / creator
- Italy(?)
- Object type
- Arms & armour
- Date or period
- c. 1540–50
- Dimensions summary
- Overall: 64.5 cm; Head: 11.4 cm
- Place of origin
- Italy(?)
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 1916
- Category
- Staff weapon
About this object
The mace was primarily a weapon for mounted warriors in both actual combat and courtly contests. For this reason it was regarded as a knightly weapon. Arming oneself with a mace had gradually taken on significance among the nobility and commanding officers. It eventually came to be considered a badge of rank, to be carried by its owner in parades and other ceremonial occasions, as this decorated example certainly was.
Materials and technique
Gilded russet steel; with chiseled foliate decoration
