Head of a Ceremonial War Hammer

ca. 1550 or later

Not on view

Although complete with a hammer and beak on the sides and a short spike on the top like many steel war hammers, this cast bronze example was designed to be used in a civic or religious ceremony as a symbol of authority, not as a weapon.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Head of a Ceremonial War Hammer
Date: ca. 1550 or later
Culture: probably Italian
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: L. 6 7/16 in. (16.3 cm); L. of head 4 in. (10.1 cm); W. 5 13/16 in. (14.7 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 12 oz. (793.8 g)
Classification: Shafted Weapons
Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Object Number: 14.25.1351
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Armor, Steel, copper alloy, textile, leather, Italian — Armor
Italian
ca. 1400–1450 and later

Rapier, Steel, silver, wood, Italian — Rapier
Italian
ca. 1540

Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head, Steel, copper, gold, glass, pigment, textile, Italian — Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Italian
ca. 1475–80

Armet, LIONARDO Italian, Steel, copper alloy, Italian, probably Milan — Armet
LIONARDO
ca. 1440

Elements of an Italian Light-Cavalry Armor <i>alla Tedesca</i> (in the German Fashion), Steel, gold, copper alloy, leather, Italian, Milan — Elements of an Italian Light-Cavalry Armor *alla Tedesca* (in the German Fashion)
Italian, Milan
ca. 1510

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.