• Period:
  Pre-18th Century
• Origin:
  Other Europe

At once menacing and intriguing, this 17th-century mace, or bulava, was the weapon of choice for the hetman, or chief army commander, in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Kingdom of Poland. Crafted in the Hungarian style, this bludgeon is distinguished by a striking-head with seven hand-soldered semicircular flanges. Intricate engraving and chiseling covers these blade-like projections and extends down the mace's fire-silvering shaft. Military weaponry is among the most highly desirable areas of collecting today. To find a piece of such incredible history and rarity in such wonderful condition is truly extraordinary.

Circa 1650

28" length

In the 16th -18th centuries, chief army commanders were called hetmans in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish Kingdom. This position was formed at the end of the 15th century in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and like the power of all officials of that time, that of the hetmans was symbolized by various insignia and symbols of power. The bulava-mace was the main insignia of the hetmans, and it was the symbol of the highest military power in the land. Today, bulava-maces are classified by the manner of their manufacture and adornment. Four types are distinguished - Hungarian, Turkish, Persian and Armenian. The Hungarian style maces featured long and thin hilts with onion-shaped heads. This style was considered the most refined.