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

Matchlock · 18th October 2010, 03:29 PM

The mace ca. 1450-80, the grip retaining its original cord binding and minium (red lead) paint on the turned haft, whilst the flanges retain traces of their characteristic Late Gothic colors red and green respectively.

Photographed by the author in the Lucerne reserve collection, together with three fine Early Renaissance (ca. 1525-30) Landsknecht pike heads and two finely writhen and carved Landsknecht sword pommels, ca. 1530.

Best,
Michael

fernando · 18th October 2010, 07:12 PM

What an extremely fine piece!
It must have been an honour for those XV century soldiers to be hit by this mace head

... as a thrill for the owner to hold such intrincately binded grip.
This is when weapons become works of art

.
Thanks for sharing these pics, Michl

.

Matchlock · 18th October 2010, 07:19 PM

Exactly, 'Nando!

We should remember though that the Gothic and Renaissance, as I stated several times, were very colorful periods of art, and all works of art and archicture were richly adorned. We know of existing profusely painted helmets and other pieces of armor. That's why I hate the bright polished surfaces we mostly see nowadays - those items originally mostly never looked quite like their present appearance suggests ...

Best,
Michl

Matchlock · 21st October 2010, 04:57 PM

Images from their website.

This specimen seems to be older, probably still High Gothic, 14th c.

Matchlock · 21st October 2010, 04:59 PM

The rest.

The hole in the haft was for attaching a wrist leather strap.

m

Jim McDougall · 21st October 2010, 06:03 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

18th October 2010, 03:29 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Very Fine 15th C. Late Gothic Mace in the Museum of Lucerne, Switzerland The mace ca. 1450-80, the grip retaining its original cord binding and minium (red lead) paint on the turned haft, whilst the flanges retain traces of their characteristic Late Gothic colors red and green respectively. Photographed by the author in the Lucerne reserve collection, together with three fine Early Renaissance (ca. 1525-30) Landsknecht pike heads and two finely writhen and carved Landsknecht sword pommels, ca. 1530. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 18th October 2010 at 07:41 PM.

21st October 2010, 04:57 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A similar mace sold at auction at San Giorgio, Genova, March 2008 Images from their website. This specimen seems to be older, probably still High Gothic, 14th c. Attached Images

21st October 2010, 04:59 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The rest. The hole in the haft was for attaching a wrist leather strap. m Attached Images

18th October 2010, 07:12 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	What an extremely fine piece! It must have been an honour for those XV century soldiers to be hit by this mace head ... as a thrill for the owner to hold such intrincately binded grip. This is when weapons become works of art . Thanks for sharing these pics, Michl .

18th October 2010, 07:19 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Exactly, 'Nando! We should remember though that the Gothic and Renaissance, as I stated several times, were very colorful periods of art, and all works of art and archicture were richly adorned. We know of existing profusely painted helmets and other pieces of armor. That's why I hate the bright polished surfaces we mostly see nowadays - those items originally mostly never looked quite like their present appearance suggests ... Best, Michl

21st October 2010, 06:03 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,942	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