Boar Spear
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Steel, wood, leather
Dimensions
L. 85 1/2 in. (217.2); L. of head 17 3/8 in. (44.1 cm); W. 5 in. (12.7 cm); Wt. 5 lbs. 7 oz. (2466.4 g)
Classification
Shafted Weapons
Culture
possibly French
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1912
Accession Number
12.141.11
Art Historical Context
Step into the thrilling world of 17th-century hunting with this impressive *Boar Spear*, a masterful example of functional arms and armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Crafted from steel, wood, and leather, it measures an imposing 85½ inches in length, with a hefty steel head spanning 17⅜ inches and weighing over 5 pounds. Attributed to an unknown artist and possibly of French origin, this shafted weapon exemplifies the blend of utility and craftsmanship prized by European nobility. Boar spears like this one were essential tools for hunting dangerous wild boars, whose ferocity demanded...