Description:

**Previously listed at 200**

Western Europe, England/United Kingdom, 18th century CE. This is a socketed iron pike head with a pronounced ridge and tapered, sharp point. Pikes were regularly used from the medieval period until the 18th century, when improvements to the musket and the invention of the bayonet surpassed it as a weapon of war -- although it was still used by less well equipped armies into the 19th century. Size: 22.2" L x 1.9" W (56.4 cm x 4.8 cm)

In England, the age of the pike as a weapon of war began to end during the English Civil War, when the infantry ratio shifted from two pikemen for every musketeer to the reverse. However, pikes remained as ceremonial weapons and today the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers act as a ceremonial bodyguard for the Lord Mayor of the City of London and escort him when he is on official business. Pikes were mounted on a shaft of seasoned ash that could be between 15 and 18 feet in length. Pikemen learned a number of "postures" for handling the unwieldy weapons.

Provenance: Ex-W. Young collection, acquired at auction

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#109809

  • Condition: Near choice

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February 27, 2017 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000