Halberd with Claw-shaped Fluke
Culture
Northern Italian
Dateearly 1600s
Mediumengraved and punched steel, brass, restored wood and fabric
Dimensions143 × 47 cm (56 5/16 × 18 1/2 in.), 4 lb, 4 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.166
DescriptionIron. Tall crescentic axeblade with upper reinforced tip, concave cutting edge & tall lobes above & below, each pierced below its base with hole. Opposed by stepped fluke bent slightly towards staff, with 3-pronged claw-like terminal. Tall, narrow, acutely pointed apical quadrangular spike. Both axeblade faces, body & fluke punched & engraved with narrow fillets, foliate strapwork & human figures. Original langets appear lost, now extended with modern iron flat stock. Restored octagonal-section wood staff, covered in worn, once green (?), velvet secured by brass-capped nails. Pair of woolen & metallic thread tassels below head.
ProvenanceEdward Hubbard Litchfield collection purchased on December 6, 1951by the Museum at Parke-Bernet Galleries (NY), sale no. 1293. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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