Art Institute of Chicago

Poleax

Western European

Date

c.1470—c.1520

Medium

Steel, brass, wood, and leather

Culture

Western Europe

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The poleax—so named whether it has an ax- or hammerhead—was designed to smash, break, or pierce through armor. It could be mounted either with a long or short staff. It was used in infantry battle, knightly tournaments, and judicial combat. The blunted hook, hammerhead, and point on the short poleax suggest it was meant for foot tournaments, friendly contests in which blows were exchanged.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.