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Showcase 5

Municipal ceremonial weapons

The showcase is divided into two parts. In the first, we can see the so-called executioner’s swords. Some of them are “swords of justice”, a symbol of judicial power. Some of them have surprising philosophical and religious connotations, and their symbolism refers to values that were important in the past. The second part of the showcase consists of ceremonial weapons used by Krakow’s guilds in religious processions. This collection of objects shows that the city’s inhabitants were eager to borrow the meaning and symbolism of weapons from the knights and nobility.

1. Executioner’s sword

1. Executioner’s sword

Germany (?), 16th/17th c. (?)

Iron, wood, leather, forging, punching, engraving

Gift of Władysław Józef Fedorowicz, 1922

2. Sword of justice

2. Sword of justice

Poland, 18th/19th c. (?)

Iron, brass, copper, wood, leather, linen, forging, casting

Deposit of the Academy of Learning, 1897

3. Executioner’s sword

3. Executioner’s sword

Poland or Germany (?), 1597 (?)

Iron, wood, forging, engraving

4. Sword of justice, according to tradition, it belonged to the executioners of Krako

4. Sword of justice, according to tradition, it belonged to the executioners of Krako

Germany, Solingen or Passau (?), 15th/16th c. (?)

Iron, brass, leather, wood, forging, engraving, embossing

Deposit of the Academy of Learning, 1897

5. Executioner’s sword, according to tradition, it belonged to the Warsaw executioner Dytwald

5. Executioner’s sword, according to tradition, it belonged to the Warsaw executioner Dytwald

Poland (?) (fittings), Germany, Solingen (blade), between 1750-1850

Iron, brass, velvet, forging, brass galvanization, engraving, inlay

Gift of Adolf Jamroth, 1892

6. Judicial sword from the city of Świecie

6. Judicial sword from the city of Świecie

Poland (?), ca. 1683

Iron, wood, leather, forging, etching

Gift of W. Lasocki, 1904 r. Wcześniej własność Muzeum Techniczno-Przemysłowe im. dra Adriana Baranieckiego w Krakowie

7. Executioner’s sword from the city of Oświęcim

7. Executioner’s sword from the city of Oświęcim

Poland (?), 16th-17th c. (?)

Iron, silver, wood, leather, cord, forging, engraving, inlay

Gift of Oświęcim City Hall, 1925

8. Ceremonial sword of the Krakow guild of butchers

8. Ceremonial sword of the Krakow guild of butchers

Switzerland or Germany, 16th/17th c.

Iron, wood, leather, forging, punching

Gift of Krakow guild of butchers, 1938

9. Ceremonial sword of the Krakow guild of butchers

9. Ceremonial sword of the Krakow guild of butchers

Krakow, ca. 1791

Iron, wood, leather, forging

Gift of Krakow guild of butchers, 1938

10. Commemoiretive Book guild on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Tannenberg (Grunwald)

10. Commemoiretive Book guild on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Tannenberg (Grunwald)

Poland, Krakow, 1910

Paper, leather, iron, bookbinding techniques, manuscript

11. Buzdygan-mace of Krakow guild of butchers

11. Buzdygan-mace of Krakow guild of butchers

Turkey, 17th c. (pommel), Krakow, second half of the 19th c. (handle)

Silver, wood, leather, repoussé, casting (partially), gilding, stonesetting

Deposit of the Management Board of the Food Industry Employees’ Union