{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O97761"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O97761/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BX3021/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BX3021/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009BX3021","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009BX3018","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BU7086","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JY0853","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018LC3891","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O97761/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O97761","accessionNumber":"M.55-1930","objectType":"Halberd","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"A halberd was a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. On the battlefield and in training it was a serjeant’s multi-purpose enforcer. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one’s own regiment in order.\r\n\r\nOn this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. The weapon has effectively evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace. \r\n\r\nSeveral of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather ‘watchmen’s’ shields, of which two are also in the V&A.","physicalDescription":"Steel blade etched with the arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612)","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Arms & Armour","id":"THES48992"},{"text":"Ceremonial objects","id":"THES48981"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2009BX3021","2009BX3018","2008BU7086","2017JY0853","2018LC3891"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"62 (VA)","id":"THES49739"},"free":"","case":"CA19","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Halberd","id":""}],[{"text":"Polearm","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Germany","id":"x28873"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"South"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"dated 1589","earliest":"1589-01-01","latest":"1589-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"228.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"28.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"3.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"The arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612) and the date 1589","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"The blade"}],"objectHistory":"This halberd once equipped the ceremonial guard of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612).","historicalContext":"This is a good example of a weapon that has evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace. On the battlefield, a halberd was a serjeant's multi-purpose enforcer, a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one's own regiment in order.\r\n\r\nOn this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather 'watchmen's' shields, of which two are also in the V&A.","briefDescription":"Steel bladed halberd, the blade etched with the arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612), South German, dated 1589","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Patterson, Angus, <u>Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Lookes and Brave Attire</u>, V&A Publishing, London, 2009, ISBN  9781851775811, p. 84, ill."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.55-1930"],"accessionNumberNum":"55","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1930,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP6436","2019LT4929","2019LU7413"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2004-04-05","availableToBook":false}}