Cleveland Museum of Art

Linstock

Date

c. 1600–25

Medium

steel; octagonal wood haft covered with green velvet, brass studs

Culture

France, 17th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This specialized staff weapon was used primarily to ignite the charge in pieces of artillery. The two lateral projections ending in eagles' heads are actually clips designed to hold the smoldering matches that allowed the firer to stand a little further from the cannon. The short, leaf-shaped blade allowed the linstock to be used as a weapon if necessary. The tapestries and weaponry adorning the walls of the Armor Court are not props. Located near the portrait of Agostino Barbarigo, this linstock hangs to the far right of a grouping of weapons. The blade ends in a double snake design and is attached to a solid wood handle.

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