[fernando]

I have spotted a more real version of these things, exhibited at the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, belonging to a collection gathered by the Viscount of Pindela.
The picture is horrible ... they don't allow us to take pictures and there is a rope to keep the visitors at distance.
According to the book, these are considered halberds ( there are two of them ), made in iron, steel and bronze. The large blade is 83 cms. long. The bronze socket represents the front of a strange marine species, frequently reproduced in Chinese works such as sculpture, porcelains, laquers, embroideries, fabrics, bronzes, coppers, even in stamping works , showing in this specimen a magnificent work of modeling and chisel.
While probably the General was not an ethnographic gatherer and the replicas were possibly offered to him in a ritual or friendly gesture, relative to his functions, the Viscount was a fine collector and must have paid some reasonable amount to aquire the real period stuff.
These halberds are dated XVI century.
Fernando