A Very Fine 15th C. Late Gothic Mace in the Museum of Lucerne, Switzerland

Jim McDougall · 21st October 2010, 07:03 PM

An absolutely fantastic piece, and it is truly fascinating to see the kind of design and embellishment was applied to an instrument which was so simply brutal as a blunt force club. Obviously a callous sounding comment, but it does seem that maces were not regarded in the same way as edged weapons or guns, so it does seem interesting that even a 'lowly' instrument in concept eventually gained such stature in the armouries of chivalry.

I have seen these spiked, cylindrical type maces shown as early as in statutes of weapons c.1165, and Im sure much earlier. Obviously we can trace back to the clubs with spikes dragged along the ground by Org, the caveman

but the striking instrument as such was certainly important in attacking armoured opponents times more in medieval period.

All the best,
Jim

Matchlock · 21st October 2010, 07:29 PM

Absolutely, Jim,

Clubs and maces seem to have existed since the first pre-hominide australopithecus grabbed a bone or a piece of wood just to raise it against an opponent or animal.

They, though, have not always been regarded as mere blunt weapons but even as early as the oldest historic times, especially in Ancient Greece and the Sumerian period, they had become symbols of dignity, later stylized as scepters.

The origin of a scepter of course was a club or mace.

I remember seeing many medieval portraits and attach two from the famos Codex Manesse, ca. 1300, depicting scepters derived from maces.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 22nd October 2010, 01:47 PM

A portrait of the Emperor Maximilian I, by Bernhard Strigel, Memmingen/Bavaria, ca. 1515.

kronckew · 22nd October 2010, 02:04 PM

the mace is still a high symbol of authority, in the UK and many other countries (including the USA). parliament here cannot meet without the royal mace. the USA uses a mace in the house of representatives to indicate when it is in session, and to restore order when a member gets unruly, thus it is still used as an official 'weapon'.

Matchlock · 22nd October 2010, 02:33 PM

Very well put, kronckew, thank you!

m

Matchlock · 22nd October 2010, 08:04 PM

King Otto the Great (+973 a.D.) with his scepter; book illumination, Magdeburg, ca. 1200.

m

Jim McDougall · 22nd October 2010, 09:23 PM

Outstanding perspective Michael and Kronckew!!
I hadn't remembered the sceptre and its lowly beginnings as a simple mace rising into a regal symbol.
With the reference to its application in politics, it seems that our congressional 'leaders' (?) could use a good bonk now and then, but then its doubtful that a hit on the head would be much noticed

Teddy Roosevelts axiom, walk softly and carry a big stick does remain well placed.

Good notes on the use of colors Michael, and it does seem that the modern perception of arms and armour gleaming garishly is quite out of line with the way things really looked. While armor was often darkened to protect it from corrosion, weapons were often russeted or japanned for like reasons, of course makers maximizing on the effect by applied decoration to add dramatic effect.

What did the colors red and green signify though? You note 'Gothic' , was this simply a favored combination, or was the use on a mace for example significant? I know that in India, certain weapons were painted red for auspicious religious symbolism.

All the best,
Jim

21st October 2010, 07:29 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Absolutely, Jim, Clubs and maces seem to have existed since the first pre-hominide australopithecus grabbed a bone or a piece of wood just to raise it against an opponent or animal. They, though, have not always been regarded as mere blunt weapons but even as early as the oldest historic times, especially in Ancient Greece and the Sumerian period, they had become symbols of dignity, later stylized as scepters. The origin of a scepter of course was a club or mace. I remember seeing many medieval portraits and attach two from the famos Codex Manesse, ca. 1300, depicting scepters derived from maces. Best, Michael Attached Images

22nd October 2010, 01:47 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Maces to Scepters! A portrait of the Emperor Maximilian I, by Bernhard Strigel, Memmingen/Bavaria, ca. 1515. Attached Images

22nd October 2010, 08:04 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	King Otto the Great (+973 a.D.) with his scepter; book illumination, Magdeburg, ca. 1200. m Attached Images

21st October 2010, 07:03 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,682	An absolutely fantastic piece, and it is truly fascinating to see the kind of design and embellishment was applied to an instrument which was so simply brutal as a blunt force club. Obviously a callous sounding comment, but it does seem that maces were not regarded in the same way as edged weapons or guns, so it does seem interesting that even a 'lowly' instrument in concept eventually gained such stature in the armouries of chivalry. I have seen these spiked, cylindrical type maces shown as early as in statutes of weapons c.1165, and Im sure much earlier. Obviously we can trace back to the clubs with spikes dragged along the ground by Org, the caveman but the striking instrument as such was certainly important in attacking armoured opponents times more in medieval period. All the best, Jim

22nd October 2010, 02:04 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	the mace is still a high symbol of authority, in the UK and many other countries (including the USA). parliament here cannot meet without the royal mace. the USA uses a mace in the house of representatives to indicate when it is in session, and to restore order when a member gets unruly, thus it is still used as an official 'weapon'.

22nd October 2010, 02:33 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Very well put, kronckew, thank you! m

22nd October 2010, 09:23 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,682	Outstanding perspective Michael and Kronckew!! I hadn't remembered the sceptre and its lowly beginnings as a simple mace rising into a regal symbol. With the reference to its application in politics, it seems that our congressional 'leaders' (?) could use a good bonk now and then, but then its doubtful that a hit on the head would be much noticed Teddy Roosevelts axiom, walk softly and carry a big stick does remain well placed. Good notes on the use of colors Michael, and it does seem that the modern perception of arms and armour gleaming garishly is quite out of line with the way things really looked. While armor was often darkened to protect it from corrosion, weapons were often russeted or japanned for like reasons, of course makers maximizing on the effect by applied decoration to add dramatic effect. What did the colors red and green signify though? You note 'Gothic' , was this simply a favored combination, or was the use on a mace for example significant? I know that in India, certain weapons were painted red for auspicious religious symbolism. All the best, Jim