Breastplate of Miniature Cuirass
Culture
Southern German
, (Augsburg)
Dateabout 1585–1590
Mediumsteel, traces of gilding, brass, modern cord
Dimensions33 × 23 × 22 cm (13 × 9 1/16 × 8 11/16 in.), 3 lb, 4 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsTiny red painted "6" inside backplate, "7" inside breast. Inside each shoulder strap is a stamped "II". Inside the L strap is also a strapped "X", inside the R is a scratched "IIIV" (?).
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.39.1
DescriptionDimensions are for the entire cuirass.Consisting of breast and backplate. Breastplate of pronounced peasecod form, excellently executed. Robust roped turn at neck. Roped edges at arms and waist, both front and back. Breastplate fitted with movable gussets working on sliding rivets. Backplate beautifully formed at shoulderblades, and with creased indent running along spine. Brass-capped lining rivets around the waistflange of both breast and back; most washers and some rivets missing.
Breast and back attached at shoulders via hinged shoulder straps, hinging on breast and securing over a pierced stud on back. Two large sizing holes for stud on each strap, with a smaller one toward the midpoint for a lanyard securing the lost cotter pins. Staple and slot at midpoint, likely for a pauldron strap. Hinge anchors on front plate have been reriveted and perhaps replaced, though this could be a working-life alteration. Traces of a decorative edge on the R shoulder strap suggest a repurposed piece. It is not quite a match for the L strap. Internal hammerwork on R strap is very different from that on the left, though this could be a later repair or connected to the recycling of old metal for the strap-piece. There are traces of gilding on the shoulder straps.
Breast and back secure at flanks with a 3-hole hinged plate fitting over a pierced stud. The tip of the hinge plate is beaten into a small loop for securing a lanyard for the lost cotter pin. There are traces of gilding on the R waist hinge. The L hinge is a replacement, made to match.
Label TextThis miniature cuirass might have been made as an armorer's sample piece to demonstrate mastery of the craft. But it could also have been made for a small child. For ceremonial occasions, a nobleman's son might wear armor to imitate his high-ranking father.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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