Other types of weapons worth mentioning here include an impressive rapier traditionally attributed to Martin Luther, and the crossbow bolt exhibited in Puławy as William Tell’s arrow. The alleged portrait of the legendary Swiss freedom fighter can be seen above the display case containing the arrow.
Another eye-catching item is the panoply placed on the wall, consisting of an impressive Renaissance armour for a rider and a horse, belonging to Prince Albert – the governor of the Netherlands.
Noteworthy works of diverse decorative arts include a set of Renaissance and Baroque silverware, featuring impressive goblets in the shape of a peacock and a ship, ornamental maces and the Wiśniowieckis’ baton decorated with precious stones. Other items which attract the visitor’s attention are the magnificent ceremonial Renaissance shields, particularly one – suspended over the passage to the second hall and depicting the battle of Emperor Constantine with Maxentius – called the Auspicious Shield, associated with John III Sobieski. Opposite, on the other side of the room, hangs a richly ornamented Turkish shield – Kalkan.
The other hall presents particularly valuable medieval religious objects – products made of enamel and ivory, as well as Renaissance Flemish embroidery depicting Virgin and Child with St Anne. Among the numerous works, particularly noteworthy paintings include those visible from afar, from the very entrance – ‘The Annunciation’ by a Krakow painter Georgius, dating back to 1517, an impressive altar painting recovered in 1802 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska from the ruins of one of the churches on the Wawel hill, ‘The Crucifixion’ by the Sienese Pieta Master (14th century), ‘Christ in Majesty’ by Mariotto di Nardo (14th century), ‘The Annunciation’ and ‘Our Lady of Sorrows’ (15th century) from the workshop of the Netherlandish artists from the Bouts family.
