Armament on the wall painting in the church in Lubecko Cover Image

Uzbrojenie na malowidłach ściennych w kościele w Lubecku
Armament on the wall painting in the church in Lubecko

Author(s): Arkadiusz Przybyłok
Subject(s): Archaeology, Cultural history, Middle Ages
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: weapons; iconography; dating

Summary/Abstract: Paintings revealed in the Assumption of Holy Virgin Mary church in Lubecko during the conservation works have been pre-dated to the beginning of 15th century. However, after military parts shown on the painting were analyzed, this doens’t seem to be true anymore. All of depicted soldiers wear full plate armours, composed of plate legs and arms protection some of which have gilded protection parts on their joints. Breastplates are rounded and have radiate cannelures. Soldiers’ hips are covered with skirts with foil tassels. That type of breastplates as mentioned above appeared twice in known history of armament: in 2nd half of 15th century and in turn of 15th and 16th. Foil tassels suggest rather that second period. This is the type of armour that was popular in that time; numerous tombstones, examples of iconography and single preserved parts of armours are the proof here. There are few types of helmets shown on the painting: kettle hats, simple shallow skull caps and rare kind of helmet similar to findings from Toruń and Mielno – storczhelme/ pekilhube. All pieces of weapon are depicted as schematically as armours. It is worth to notice that swords have pointy forms, good for stabbing. The most interesting one, handled by one of angels, has an even-armed cross-shaped pommel. Additionaly to swords, there are also halberds, hammer-axe and misericorde. Wholeness of the armament seems to be typical for the gothic period. It is highly likely that the author portrayed the reality he knew.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 30
  • Page Range: 249-262
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish