Three Ceremonial Arrowheads

Unknown

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

Originally mounted on wooden shafts, these extremely large arrowheads probably served as symbols of rank or batons of command. They are decorated with royal Bohemian monograms and badges in addition to religious invocations in medieval Czech. All three bear the monogram AR for Albert, king of Bohemia and Hungary (reigned 1437–39). In one instance (66.199), there is also the monogram AE, probably for Albert and Elizabeth, his queen. The right and left arrowheads are stamped with the so-called Turkish arsenal mark, indicating that they were captured by Ottoman forces, perhaps in the campaign of 1439 in which Albert was killed, and were 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

66.199: Rogers Fund, 1966; 1984.17: Purchase, David and Dorothy Alexander and Mrs. Ridgeley Hunt Gifts, Bequest of Stephen V. Grancsay, by exchange, and funds from various donors, 1984; 1988.170: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Lauder, 1988