Halberd
- Culture
- German
- Date
- third quarter 16th century
- Material
- Etched and gilded steel, and wood
- made in
- Dresden, Saxony state, Germany, Europe
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 126
- Dimensions
- 92 x 14 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (233.7 x 36.8 x 6.4 cm)
weight: 6 lb. 4 oz. (2.8 kg)
length of head: 29 1/4 in. (74.3 cm) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 167:1926
NOTES
This halberd was carried by a member of the bodyguard of Augustus, Elector of Saxony (1526-1586).
Halberds like this one became purely ceremonial arms. Their makers exploited the broad surfaces of the blade, creating fanciful, graphic shapes, and covered them with beautiful decoration and the personal mottos and coats of arms of their owners. The long staffs were often embellished with vibrant fabrics and tassels. This meant that they could be used not only to keep threats at a distance, but also to create an imposing presence when carried upright by a large group of bodyguards.
Provenance
c.1553 - 1586
State Guard of Augustus (1526-1586; reigned 1553-1586), Elector of Saxony, Dresden, Germany
by 1870s - c.1883
Prince Carl of Prussia (1801-1883), Berlin, Germany [1]
c.1883 - c.1919
Zeughaus, Berlin, Germany [2]
- 1926
Bashford Dean (1876-1928), New York, NY, USA [3]
1926 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience," American Art Association, New York, NY, November 19-20, 1926, lot no. 290 [4]
Notes:
The majority of the provenance for this object has been provided in notes prepared by scholar Walter J. Karcheski Jr [SLAM document files]. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[1] Provenance provided in the "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience" auction catalogue on page 109.
[2] The red painted number "AD 448" found on the staff corresponds to a marking used to designate weapons in the collection of the Zeughaus in Berlin.
[3] According to notes provided by Karcheski, this halberd, although purchased at the so-called "Liechtenstein" sale, did not belong at that time to the princely family, but most likely had been obtained by Bashford Dean sometime before the 1926 auction.
[4] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, December 10, 1926.
State Guard of Augustus (1526-1586; reigned 1553-1586), Elector of Saxony, Dresden, Germany
by 1870s - c.1883
Prince Carl of Prussia (1801-1883), Berlin, Germany [1]
c.1883 - c.1919
Zeughaus, Berlin, Germany [2]
- 1926
Bashford Dean (1876-1928), New York, NY, USA [3]
1926 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience," American Art Association, New York, NY, November 19-20, 1926, lot no. 290 [4]
Notes:
The majority of the provenance for this object has been provided in notes prepared by scholar Walter J. Karcheski Jr [SLAM document files]. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[1] Provenance provided in the "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience" auction catalogue on page 109.
[2] The red painted number "AD 448" found on the staff corresponds to a marking used to designate weapons in the collection of the Zeughaus in Berlin.
[3] According to notes provided by Karcheski, this halberd, although purchased at the so-called "Liechtenstein" sale, did not belong at that time to the princely family, but most likely had been obtained by Bashford Dean sometime before the 1926 auction.
[4] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, December 10, 1926.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.