Warhammer

Dateabout 1680

Mediumiron and wood with silver inlay and textiles

Dimensions71.1 cm (28 in.), 1 lb, 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.386

DescriptionIron, russeted. Octagonal section, faceted hammerhead flaring to slightly convex face. Opposed by quadrangular section fluke, straight for about 1/2 length from staff then recurving to tapered point. Oval socket, with projecting langets, fits onto wooden circular section haft covered with textile fragments (perhaps once red velvet) & woven silver wire bands & fitted with low domed iron butt cap.

Head is decorated with thick inlays of silver wire. This is intertwined to form a lobated lozenge at the body, and drawn out at the sides of the head and fluke in a single line that erupts at equal intervals with leaved motifs, and terminates in a leaf-shaped tip near the end of the fluke. Similar treatment is found on the upper faces, but the lower has a running, recurving tendril design. Small leaves appear on the facets of the hammer-head, and the face has a six-petalled flower motif. The designs are filled and edged by raised dots of silver. The corner of the flukes have close-set, small dots in a row.

The head slips over the top of a circular-section wooden handle of moderate length. This tapers slightly to the head, and is covered with the badly rotted fragments of a once-velvet (perhaps red?) covering. This has a twisted cord seam along the rear of the shaft, and is secured over its length by small iron escutcheon pin-like nails. At about 3/4 of its length the shaft retains a narrow, woven band, similarly tacked, of silver thread. A similar band appears at the base of the shaft, which is fitted with a low, domed, iron butt-cap.

See detailed measurements in digital file.
Label TextThis type of warhammer, called a kulunk by the Ottomans, was of Middle Eastern origin. It was used mainly by horsemen, who wore it as a sidearm next to a sword. Its hammer-side crushed while the beak could penetrate plate or mail armor. A similar type of warhammer, called a nadziak, was adopted by the Polish cavalry.ProvenancePart of an original gift of 16 items presented by Henry D. Tiffany, Principal of Bancroft School (Worcester

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