The Arsenal of the Princes Czartoryski Museum in Kraków is hosting an exhibition called ‘Arms and Colour’, presenting a selection of the most valuable objects of Polish, European and Oriental weaponry from around the year 1000 to the mid-19th century.

Many pieces on display include memorabilia associated with the Hetman Stanisław Jabłonowski, one of the commanders of the Battle of Vienna in 1683: the karacena armour and a genuine gold mace richly decorated with precious stones. The exhibition will also feature memorabilia related to the Radziwiłł, Lubomirski and Potocki families, as well as souvenirs of historical personalities such as Tadeusz Kościuszko and Józef Poniatowski.

“The ‘Arms and Colours’ exhibition is not only about military history. It is undoubtedly a successful attempt to show the various aspects of how weapons function in tradition and culture. It is no exaggeration to say that weapons have been an integral part of everyday life for centuries. Today, however, it has become a priceless witness to history, which here, in the Krakow Arsenal, will be recalled once again”, wrote Piotr Gliński, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, in a letter addressed to the participants of the exhibition’s opening.

The exhibition attempts to answer difficult questions about the role of this type of historical collection in an art museum and the extent of its impact on society and culture over the last few centuries. Weapons, protective armour and, finally, uniforms reflected fashion or even shaped it.

Armament was then an indicator of technical and technological progress. It has also become an integral part of symbolism and national identities in many countries, and its decoration often reached the status of outstanding works of artistic craftsmanship. Weapons are also a testimony to history, but also its direct perpetrator as a tool in the hands of its participants.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński