Tilting Target

Artist workshops of Wolf and Peter von Speyer , or (Germany)

Artist Wolf Peppinghorn (Saxony, Germany)

Dateabout 1590–1600

MediumSteel, iron, leather and black paint

Dimensions48 × 36 × 11 cm (18 7/8 × 14 3/16 × 4 5/16 in.), 5 lb, 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsInside yellowish paint comparable to that of the backplate: "Pos:".

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1154.20

DescriptionWhile contemporary, this is associated to the other components. It is of the usual form, molded to the left side of the neck, chest and shoulder, and curves outward to the rounded lower edge. It is thick, smooth and without obstruction, save a long, pointed spike of diamond section which screws into a riveted insert mounted to the right of center. The faceted base of the spike is transversely pierced for a tommy-bar. The target is fastened to the harness by a modern nut and bolt through the neck flange and a threaded stud with wing-nut at the straight right edge. At this point there is an ancient patched repair riveted inside, a lead plug, and a vertical row of three large adjustment holes and one isolated above and to the right.

At the rear edge near the neck the target has an old extension-plate of curved, triangular form riveted to the outside.

The lower and left edges of the target are filled with flat rivets, with a third line of rivets connecting to form a rough triangle. These rivets fasten a leather strip and buff-leather lining within, covering well over half of the inside face. The exterior is black-painted and scarred by lance-thrusts. A difference in color within the area framed by an additional hexagonal group of 8 rivets in the center of the plate suggests that a coat-of-arms was once riveted and perhaps painted here.
ProvenanceDresden "Rüstkammer" Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony (to 1925) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.) (his A-31). Purchased by the Armory on 27 July 1939 at Mackay sale, Christie's (London), lot 54 (with shaffron HAM# 2550). Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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