Military Fork
Unknown Artist
late 16th century
Medium
Steel, wood, silver
Dimensions
L. 91 in. (231.1 cm); L. of head 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm); W. 4 in. (10.2 cm); Wt. 6 lbs. 1.5 oz. (2764.1 g)
Classification
Shafted Weapons
Culture
French
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1929
Accession Number
29.156.40
Art Historical Context
This imposing *Military Fork* from late 16th-century France the formidable shafted weapons wielded by infantry during the Renaissance era. Crafted from durable steel for the broad, pronged head—measuring 23½ inches long—and a sturdy wooden shaft extending the total length to over 7½ feet, it weighs a hefty 6 pounds. Subtle silver accents highlight its construction, blending functionality with restrained ornamentation typical of French armorer's work. Developed amid the turbulent Wars of Religion and the rise of professional armies under kings like Henry IV, the military fork was designed to c...