Halberd
dated 1589 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
A halberd was a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. On the battlefield and in training it was a serjeant’s multi-purpose enforcer. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one’s own regiment in order.
On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. The weapon has effectively evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace.
Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather ‘watchmen’s’ shields, of which two are also in the V&A.
On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. The weapon has effectively evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace.
Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather ‘watchmen’s’ shields, of which two are also in the V&A.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Brief description | Steel bladed halberd, the blade etched with the arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612), South German, dated 1589 |
Physical description | Steel blade etched with the arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612) |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | The arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612) and the date 1589 (The blade) |
Object history | This halberd once equipped the ceremonial guard of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612). |
Historical context | This is a good example of a weapon that has evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace. On the battlefield, a halberd was a serjeant's multi-purpose enforcer, a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one's own regiment in order. On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather 'watchmen's' shields, of which two are also in the V&A. |
Summary | A halberd was a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. On the battlefield and in training it was a serjeant’s multi-purpose enforcer. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one’s own regiment in order. On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. The weapon has effectively evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace. Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather ‘watchmen’s’ shields, of which two are also in the V&A. |
Bibliographic reference | Patterson, Angus, Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Lookes and Brave Attire, V&A Publishing, London, 2009, ISBN 9781851775811, p. 84, ill. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.55-1930 |
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Record created | April 5, 2004 |
Record URL |
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