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

Matchlock · 22nd October 2010, 12:47 PM

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

kronckew · 22nd October 2010, 01:04 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, 01:33 PM

Very well put, kronckew, thank you!

m

Matchlock · 22nd October 2010, 07:04 PM

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

m

Jim McDougall · 22nd October 2010, 08:23 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

Matchlock · 22nd October 2010, 10:26 PM

Hi Jim,

Thank you as much as always for your brilliant thoughts.

From all my studies, as I have often tried to point out in several posts, all I can tell for sure is that red and green unquestionably were the main colors of at least the Romanic (ca. 950-1200) and Gothic (ca. 1200-1500) art periods.

With all my very best wishes,

Michael, bidding you a very good night out there on route 66 !

22nd October 2010, 12:47 PM	#1
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, 07:04 PM	#4
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

22nd October 2010, 01:04 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	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, 01:33 PM	#3
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, 08:23 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	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

22nd October 2010, 10:26 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Jim, Thank you as much as always for your brilliant thoughts. From all my studies, as I have often tried to point out in several posts, all I can tell for sure is that red and green unquestionably were the main colors of at least the Romanic (ca. 950-1200) and Gothic (ca. 1200-1500) art periods. With all my very best wishes, Michael, bidding you a very good night out there on route 66 !