EXCEEDINGLY RARE EUROPEAN TOURNAMENT LANCE C.1600

Ex: Thoresby Hall, Newark, Nottinghamshire England. Sold by Sotheby’s, May 31, 1989 with original auction tag. 97 ½” length. Wood haft tapered through its length. The upper third of the plain wound section with triple cheek straps securing the heavy baluster based pyramidal point. The middle segment deeply fluted and the bottom with inset hand grip, and cylindrical base mount verifying its original length. An iron bar ahead of the hand inset for gripping with the left hand at the moment of impact. The base mount with a similar curved bar, to engage a mount from which it was snatched at gallop by the contestant.  

Made for a field event, such as the Landschuter Hochzeit where contestants rode against a series of suspended wood shields, attempting to dislodge as many as possible. Lances such as this were kept in castle or town arsenals and maintained along with other equipment. This example shows the original old painted surface over small blemishes indicating that it was repainted as needed or even to “make work”, similar to painting fire hydrants today, whether they need it or not. Surviving original lances are exceedingly rare. We have seen only about three others on the market in our 60 years in business.

Price includes shipping to the contiguous 48 states.