Right Cuisse

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

Artist Wolf Peppinghorn (Saxony, Germany)

Dateabout 1590–1600

MediumSteel, iron, leather and black paint

Dimensions41 × 21 × 16 cm (16 1/8 × 8 1/4 × 6 5/16 in.), 3 lb 9 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1154.12

DescriptionThe cuisses are a pair and of relatively crude workmanship. They are symmetrical, and are painted to match the black and silver components. Each has a wide, flattish mainplate with an inwardly-turned, closely-roped upper edge which curves up slightly out over the side of the leg. The edge is bordered by decorative rivets, and at the ends is riveted to a similarly-formed extension plate which is further articulated on a central leather. This plate, which seems to be a working-life modification, has a wide shallow recessed band filled with domed lining-rivets along the top edge, with much of the leather band and the arched leather tab for points at mid-width. The recessed band is cusped at this point from which a low medial ridge extends full-length to the bottom of the poleyn.

There are flush rivets along the side edges of the mainplates; these retain a lining-band of leather beneath the flattened heads within. Traces of darker leather beneath a larger rivet at about mid-height indicates where leather loops for tapes would have been.

The bottom edge of the mainplate is riveted to a poleyn of five lames - two each above and below, overlapping away from a central lame. This is full, rounded over the knee, and embossed with a low, transverse ridge; centered on the face isa recessed diamond-shape and raised longitudinal roped rib.

The side-wing is of moderate size, of heart-shape, with inwardly-turned, roped edges bordered by shallow plain recessed bands. A modern strap riveted to the inside of the side-wing encircles the back of the knee and engages an associated buckle on the inner edge.

The lames above and below are curved, relatively narrow over their lengths, and are riveted together near the ends, which are pointed on the outer side. The rivets on this side are domed, with circular washers within, while those on the inner side are near-flush, with flattened internal heads.

The lower two lames on the left defense seem to be working-life replacements; vacant-or-unaligned holes on the lames above indicate some reassembly here. The terminal lame of each poleyn has a level roped edge, inwardly-turned over a wire core, and bordered by a plain shallow recessed band filled with domed lining-band rivets.

On both defenses, the rivets at the ends are lost, suggesting that the poleyns were once riveted to a set of greaves. Like the other components, these are decorated "en suite", with other decoration beneath.
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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