Mace
- Culture
- probably Italian
- Date
- first half 16th century
- Material
- Steel or iron with gilding
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 23 13/16 x 5 1/2 in. (60.5 x 14 cm)
weight: 3 lb. 2 oz. (1.4 kg) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 231:1923
NOTES
In its simplest form, a mace is a club with a heavy striking head. When mail armor was the norm, maces were efficient arms, but they were far less effective against plate armor. In western Europe they became highly decorated signs of rank and can still be seen today in the form of governmental and royal maces.
Provenance
- 1923
Enrico Caruso (1873-1921), Italy
1923 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction, "The Enrico Caruso Art Treasures and Antiquities," American Art Galleries, New York, NY, March 5-8, 1923, lot no. 1035 [2]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the auction catalogue, "The Rare and Beautiful Antique Art Treasures," American Art Association, New York, March 5-8, 1923.
[1] Purchased at "The Rare and Beautiful Antique Art Treasures," in single lot that also included 230:1923, 232:1923, and 233:1923. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, April 6, 1923.
Enrico Caruso (1873-1921), Italy
1923 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction, "The Enrico Caruso Art Treasures and Antiquities," American Art Galleries, New York, NY, March 5-8, 1923, lot no. 1035 [2]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the auction catalogue, "The Rare and Beautiful Antique Art Treasures," American Art Association, New York, March 5-8, 1923.
[1] Purchased at "The Rare and Beautiful Antique Art Treasures," in single lot that also included 230:1923, 232:1923, and 233:1923. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, April 6, 1923.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.