Ceremonial Arrowhead

Unknown

ca. 1437–39 · Steel, copper alloy · Arms and Armor

Originally mounted on a wooden shaft, this extremely large arrowhead probably served as a symbol of rank or a baton of command. It is decorated with royal Bohemian monograms and badges in addition to religious invocations in medieval Czech. It bears the monogram AR for Albert, king of Bohemia and Hungary (reigned 1437–39), and also the monogram AE, probably for Albert and Elizabeth, his queen. It is also stamped with the so-called Turkish arsenal mark, indicating that it was captured by Ottoman forces, perhaps in the campaign of 1439 in which Albert was killed, and was subsequently stored in the Turkish arsenal in Constantinople (now Istanbul).

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1437–39

Medium

Steel, copper alloy

Culture

Bohemian, probably Prague

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Rogers Fund,1966