Composite Stechzeug (armor for the "German Joust")
Artistpauldrons by
Valentin Siebenbürger
(German, 1510–1564)
Dateabout 1480–1540
Mediumsteel, brass, leather
Dimensions75.5 cm (29 3/4 in.)
Weight: 60 lb. 5 oz.
Weight: 60 lb. 5 oz.
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsHelm and cuirass have chiseled, chevronic marks within, and a like mark but transversely crossed at the apex above on the outside. The pauldrons have punched serial dots, a Nuremberg view-mark and the mark of Siebenbürger, with painted "NR20" within the left pauldron. The besagew has the etched arms of Nuremberg surmounted by an "A", and painted "W.1322" on reverse (inventory number from Germanisches Nationalmuseum). The poldermiton has punched serial dots. The manifer has "v"-shaped nicks (some later) on the internal edges, and painted "W.1320", "W.1321" within.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1164
DescriptionConsisting of Stechhelm; Breastplate with rest and associated waistlame; Backplate (possibly a working-life alteration from a field backplate); pauldrons (not quite a pair; by Valentin Siebenbuerger. about 1540); Manifer with associated pasguard; Poldermiton; Besagew; restored Queue. Skirt and tassets lacking.Aside from the exceptions noted above, all components date to the end of the 15th century; there have been multiple working-life associations and alterations.
Label TextTournaments were the definitive sporting event of the Middle Ages. Early versions were little more than slightly subdued battles fought across open countryside. By the 1400s, jousting had become the preferred form of tournament event, featuring two knights charging each other on horseback with 11-foot lances. Specialized jousting equipment was developed to improve safety. Jousting took many forms, each with its own rules and equipment. This suit was designed for the “German joust,” in which the jousters wore heavy protective equipment that severely restricted their vision and mobility.ProvenanceSuit, excluding pauldrons, poldermiton, manifer, besagew: Counts Erbach-Erbach (Erbach in Odenwald) by 1808 E. Kahlert und Sohn (Berlin) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I) Purchased by the Armory from Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. (NYC), agents for the Mackay estate, on 1 April 1940, as #A-43/120. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014. Pauldrons, poldermiton, manifer, besagew: (probably) ex-Nuremberg "Zeughaus" Germanisches Museum (Nuremberg) Traded to Erbach c. 1905 Thereafter as above
On View
On viewCollections
Michel Witz the Younger
1530s
