Bill for a Child

Dateearly 1600s

Mediumsteel, iron, brass and wood with an acrylic shaft

DimensionsBlade with acrylic shaft: 184× 33 cm (72 7/16 × 13 in.), 2 lb, 14 oz (weight)
Wood shaft: 135 cm(53 1/8 in.), 1 lb, 4 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.201

DescriptionQuadrangular thrusting tip, remainder of blade more or less of flattened hexagonal cross-section. There is a forward hook, and slightly convex chopping blade, and a rear fluke. There is a pair of spike-lugs at the base of the blade, front and back. The socket is asymmetrically faceted, and surmounted by a spherical baluster. The long langets are broken near the top, probably in the event at the Higgins Armory that broke the staff.

Both sides of the blade are adorned with punched decoration consisting of geometric patterns and an abstracted reclining human figure in a roughly round medallion.

The bill has a restored haft of round cross-section, now broken and replaced with perspex.
Label TextA number of similarly scaled-down weapons are preserved. Some historians believe that such pieces were actually made for youths, others believe that they were simply symbols of status for officers.ProvenanceBashford Dean collection Purchased by Museum on October 26, 1950 from the sale of his residual collection at Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. (NYC), sale no. 1186. Price of $40 included HAM#s 2880.1 &2. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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