Ax

Unknown

ca. 1450–1500 · Steel, gold, wood · Arms and Armor

The Mamluk sultans and emirs employed a special corps of ax-bearers, probably in imitation of the Varangian (Viking) guard of the emperors of Byzantium. The cup decorating the socket of this ax is the insignia of a Mamluk emir and indicates that he held the important ceremonial office of cupbearer to the sultan.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1450–1500

Medium

Steel, gold, wood

Culture

Syrian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, Bashford Dean Bequest, 1969