Piek van ijzer met veren vastgeklonken aan een houten steel c. 1590 - 1596

This is a pole weapon featuring an iron spike with feathers attached to a wooden shaft, currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Its anonymous creation speaks volumes about the social structures of its time, where the individual artisan was often eclipsed by the function of the object itself. Imagine the hands that forged this weapon; consider the historical context in which such an object would be essential. What kind of society necessitates instruments of defense and conflict? The iron spike itself symbolizes an assertion of power, a tool designed for dominance. The addition of feathers, often associated with flight and freedom, creates a paradox. Are they merely decorative, or do they carry deeper symbolism related to status? The weapon reflects the identities and interactions of those who might have wielded it. Its creation and use embed it within a narrative of gender, class, and conflict. It serves as a stark reminder of the human capacity for both violence and craftsmanship.