Iron mace head, British (14th century)

Title	Iron mace head
Nationality	British
Period	14th century

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Excavated from a drain in York (UK) some 50 years ago, this fine piece appears to be of cast, or possibly wrought, iron construction. It may well be a captured Islamic piece brought back from the Crusades or purchased through trade with the East - rather than British. The design is clearly of Persian origin.

Later 16th-century Ottoman mace heads had, more typically, ten or twelve segment heads, also of iron, viz the nice collection of captured kit on view in the Kriegshistoriches Museum in Vienna (from the late 16th to 17th century fighting).

It measures 8 cm top to bottom and 7.5 cm across the flanges at the top. It would originally have been mounted on an 18-inch wood shaft, probably ash for strength and flexibility. It weighs 12.25 ozs (370 g). It now has a perspex stand, about six inches high.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Edged Weapons : Polearms : British : 14th Century]

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