Head of a Hunting Spear

Head of a Hunting Spear

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Spearheads such as this one were used for hunting various types of large game, especially wild boar, deer, and bear. The protruding wings on either side of the base were intended to check the forward momentum of a charging animal, keeping it at a safe distance from the hunter. The fine brass inlay decorating the spearhead is a reminder that hunting was a favorite pastime of nobility during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Head of a Hunting SpearHead of a Hunting SpearHead of a Hunting SpearHead of a Hunting SpearHead of a Hunting Spear

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.