Glaive

Culture Italian

Date1550–1600

Mediumsteel, iron, brass, wood and textile

Dimensions266.7 × 83.8 cm (105 × 33 in.), 6 lb, 2 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.176

DescriptionSteel. Long elegant knife-shaped blade with lobed projection on back edge at about 2/3 height & angularly lunate-shaped projection below this. Base of blade with pair of short spikes & small molded knop atop closed socket of flattened rectangular section with 2 langets. Undecorated.

Restored wooden staff of flattened octagonal section with velvet casing & tassels secured below head by groups of brass tacks.
Label TextMany staff weapons were designed with cutting edges in front and beaks or hooks for piercing or snagging in back. Over time these secondary projections sometimes evolved into mere decorative features, as on this example.ProvenanceGift to Higgins Armory Museum from Worcester Art Museum (Worcester, MA) on June 19, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

On View

Not on view

Collections