Ceremonial Hammer of Pope Julius III
Nuremberg (?), Augsburg (?), 1549/1550
Silver, gilt, enamel, ebony
37,5 x 25,0 cm
Inv.-Nr. R 692
Acquired in 1865
Gallery 27
The Holy Year – celebrated in Rome at intervals of 100, 50, 25 and sometimes 33 years – is traditionally inaugurated by the ritual opening of the Sacred Portal of St Peter's. The Pope uses a magnificent specially-made hammer to pound upon the walled-up portal which is then opened by masons. This silver hammer, which was used in 1550, was given by Pope Julius III to Otto Truchseß von Waldburg, Cardinal-Bishop of Augsburg, who left it to the university he founded in Dillingen. This papal ceremonial hammer, distinguished by superb craftsmanship and design, is the sole exemplar of its kind to have been preserved from the 16th century.
des Bayerischen Nationalmuseum
des Bayerischen Nationalmuseum
