Artwork Page for Seven-Flanged Mace

Details / Information for Seven-Flanged Mace

Seven-Flanged Mace

c. 1540–50

Italy (?), 16th century

Medium
gilded russet steel; with chiseled foliate decoration
Support
Chisled foliate decoration
Measurements
Overall: 64.5 cm (25 3/8 in.); Head: 11.4 cm (4 1/2 in.)
Weight: 1.6 kg (3.53 lbs.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1589
Public Domain
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Location
210A Armor Court
Print
?

Did You Know?

In use throughout the middle ages, the mace became increasingly popular in the 1400s and 1500s because edged weapons (such as swords) were ineffective against fully developed plate armor.

Description

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.
Steel mace, a club with a cylindrical shaft topped with seven vertical strips of metal extending out into flat spikes, some gilding remaining. A small, diamond-shaped point extends from the top. On the shaft, the upper half features vertical columns alternating between plain and intertwining lines. On the lower half extend winding vines-patterns. The base comes to a triangular point.

Seven-Flanged Mace

c. 1540–50

Italy (?), 16th century

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