Question about a Mace

[Dangermouse]

Hello Chaps

Anybody help on this?

Do you know what the ring is for on the mace below? i.e. is it an original feature? if making a replica of it should it be included?



I believe it is in a British collection but don't know where?

[admin]

I would say that there is almost no way to know whether it is original or not - it could conceivably have been related to hanging the mace from a saddle (which was normal), or even to it being part of a wall display at Windsor Castle. However, I have never seen a ring on any other mace, so if I were you and creating a replica, I'd ignore it

[Dangermouse]

Thanks! I thought as much but nice to have it confirmed

[Harry]

could also be for the weapon chain to fix the mace on the chest piece

[admin]

It could be, although I can't think of an example of that later than about 1400 (except perhaps in Eastern Europe) and this mace is late-15thC I think.

[Fab]

Might be 15th cent. But That's one object I'd like to see from close, as there are a few tings that don't fit with other maces I know. Not that everything should be made the same, but this one is a bit odd. Especially the handle part.

Ah, maces...I'd love to make one some day. And no I won't have time before Dijon.

[Dangermouse]

Hello Chaps

Well, this has since been prototyped:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

BUT - not quite sure the measurements are correct.

Have since found out that this mace is in the British Museum. Can't get down there any time soon but if anybody is in that neck of the woods and can get some measurements for me I'd sort them out with the finished product for free - or perhaps something else that saves me the trip

[Dangermouse]

You will notice they kept the ring as they wanted as close a replica as possible...

[admin]

I was there the other day, but I don't know where abouts in the museum this mace is. What measurements do you require?

[Fab]

I took a few pics if it last time I was at the BM. It's in a display cabinet in the "old BM" section, near other curiosities.

If you can get dimensions of it I'd be happy to have them too. Especially its weight.

[Dangermouse]

I was there the other day, but I don't know where abouts in the museum this mace is. What measurements do you require?

Hi Matt

Basically just length and diameter of the head would suffice - anything else would be a bonus.

[admin]

I can do that this week probably - Fab, do you mean the hall with all the wooden cabinets and bookshelves where they have one of Tipu Sultan's swords, Pacific island war clubs, a bollock dagger and an Italian sallet? If so, I was there last Thursday, but maybe I missed it.

[Fab]

I can do that this week probably - Fab, do you mean the hall with all the wooden cabinets and bookshelves where they have one of Tipu Sultan's swords, Pacific island war clubs, a bollock dagger and an Italian sallet? If so, I was there last Thursday, but maybe I missed it.

This one. I can send you the pics I took to help you spot it.

[admin]

That would be great if it's not too much trouble thanks.

[Fab]

Done.

[admin]

Thanks buddy.

Oh, and I just noticed that Bryan has some amusing other images on his imageshack account.

[Dangermouse]

Matt that would be awsome!

I haven't got an imageshack account so images are not related to me I'm afraid (but I did just look expecting to find naked men or something! )

EDIT: ah ha - upon closer inspection there was a naked man with some sort of horn!

[admin]

I have stuck a tape measure into my bag, so whenever I do manage to get there I should be able to get some stats (if the mace is still where Fab photographed it!).

[Joolz]

The flanges on that prototype seem really thin. They should be at least twice the thickness at the points. At the very least. Sorry if I'm pointing out the obvious and this is just a prototype....

Joolz

[admin]

The flanges on the original are thicker - about 5mm to be precise (and reinforced at the pointy end).
Bryan, I got measurements and photos last night - I'll post them up later.