War Hammer or Pollaxe

War Hammer or Pollaxe

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Weapons of this type were used in arranged combats between two fully armored men fighting on foot in an enclosure. The brass side straps are engraved with figures of Saint George and Saint Catherine and inscriptions in Latin and German.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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.