Head of a Ceremonial War Hammer

Unknown

ca. 1550 to ca. 1625 · Steel · Arms and Armor

War hammers were carried as a sidearm by armored cavalrymen for much of the sixteenth century and generally have a hammer-like head opposite a spike or beak: one designed to strike a concussive blow, much like a mace, and the other to pierce or puncture. This example, although entirely of steel, is a ceremonial or symbolic weapon, distinguished by its extensive and exceptionally fine chiseled decoration.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1550 to ca. 1625

Medium

Steel

Culture

possibly Italian or French

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1904