Partisan
- Culture
- German
- Date
- 1615
- Material
- Etched steel and wood
- probably made in
- Bavaria state, Germany, Europe
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 126
- Dimensions
- staff and head: 96 5/8 x 8 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. (245.4 x 21 x 5.7 cm)
length of head: 24 3/4 in. (62.9 cm)
weight: 6 lb. 4 oz. (2.8 kg) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 169:1926
NOTES
Staff weapons could be simple weapons of war, while others, such as partisans like this one, became purely ceremonial arms carried by bodyguards. 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
1615 -
State Guard of Wolfgang Wilhelm, Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Neuburg (1578–1653; reigned 1614–1653), Bavaria, Germany [1]
Civic Arsenal, Munich, Germany [2]
- 1926
Princes von Liechtenstein, Austria
1926 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction of the Liechtenstein collection, "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience." American Art Association, New York, NY, USA, November 19-20, 1926, lot no. 298. [3]
Notes:
[1] This provenance is based on notes provided by scholar Walter Karcheski Jr. and inscription of Wolfgang Wilhelm's coat of arms and date etched on the blade [SLAM document files].
[2] Provenance based on the "Liechtenstein" catalogue which indicates that 169:1926 was obtained during the last century from the Civic Arsenal in Munich ["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. 298].
[3] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, December 10, 1926.
State Guard of Wolfgang Wilhelm, Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Neuburg (1578–1653; reigned 1614–1653), Bavaria, Germany [1]
Civic Arsenal, Munich, Germany [2]
- 1926
Princes von Liechtenstein, Austria
1926 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction of the Liechtenstein collection, "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience." American Art Association, New York, NY, USA, November 19-20, 1926, lot no. 298. [3]
Notes:
[1] This provenance is based on notes provided by scholar Walter Karcheski Jr. and inscription of Wolfgang Wilhelm's coat of arms and date etched on the blade [SLAM document files].
[2] Provenance based on the "Liechtenstein" catalogue which indicates that 169:1926 was obtained during the last century from the Civic Arsenal in Munich ["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. 298].
[3] 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.