Arms and Armor in the works of Albrecht Dürer

[shayde78]

"Three Peasants in Conversation", dated 1497.

Note the hilt in the belt on the right is similar to the previous image. Also, the use of a sword as a cane was a satirical trope of the period. The tattered appearance of the sheath likely indicates some level of disdain. Also, a 'peasant' wearing spurs may indicate a man who fancies himself 'above his station' in a rigidly stratified society. Or, I could simply be unaware that peasant would have occasion to wear spurs.

[shayde78]

"Lady on Horseback and Lansquenet", 1497

Nice halberd and sword hilt visible. Also, good representation of an ostrich feather, which adorned the helms of knights of the era, here atop the young lady's head.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by shayde78

"Lady on Horseback and Lansquenet", 1497

Nice halberd and sword hilt visible. Also, good representation of an ostrich feather, which adorned the helms of knights of the era, here atop the young lady's head.

There must have been quite a trade in ostrich feathers in those days. All the way from Africa -- the well-to-do have throughout history managed to get their hands on imported luxuries from afar, whether they be porcelains from China or peppercorns and cloves from India.

Dürer's works are an invaluable documentary source for the arms and costume of his time. The profile of the halberd's ax blade, along with the protruding flanges flanking the pointed beak, clearly match the styles catalogued by Ewart Oakeshott as falling within the period 1450-1520, closely approximating the artist's lifespan. See Oakeshott's European Weapons and Armour pp 46-48 for an illustration of the weapon's evolution and of its principal regional styles in the South German / Swiss / northern Italian territories.