Front of a Left Greave

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

Artist Wolf Peppinghorn (Saxony, Germany)

Dateabout 1590–1600

MediumSteel, iron, leather and black paint

Dimensions45 × 13 × 16 cm (17 11/16 × 5 1/8 × 6 5/16 in.), 2 lb, 13 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsScratched inside frontplate: "B *" (the latter mark appears to have been cancelled)

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1154.13.1

DescriptionThe greaves are symmetrical, and are a restored pair made by D. Tachaux, in the form associated with the Saxon group. Each is of two halves which reach the ground, and are secured by three pierced lugs and pivot-hooks per side. The greave plates are shaped to the leg, with full-length medial ridges on both, and are finished with a roped inward turn at the top of the rearplate, which rises to the outer face, and a plain unturned edge at the front. There is no provision to attach the greave to the poleyns.

The lower edges of the plates are riveted to sets of narrow curved laminations overlapping away from the ankle. There are four of these lames on the rear, three on the frontplates. These are riveted near the straight ends and to a central articulating leather whose ends are riveted to the heel- and ankle-plates below. The heel-plate is embossed for the heel and ankle-bones, with a level basal edge inwardly turned and roped. The ankle-plate has a like basal edge, and extends up in a high-pointed arch over the foot.

Riveted to the ankle-plate is a sabaton of eight riveted lames (four above, and three below, all overlapping toward a central plate), plus toe-cap. The forward plates are pointed at the ends, and have a low point on the edge at the rivets; all other edges are plain or bevelled. The toe-cap is narrow, with a 'pinched', boxish toe. There are no provisions to secure the sabaton to the foot itself.

The defenses are painted to match, with silvered stripes along the sides and medial ridges.
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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