Composite Armor for the Welschgestech ("Italian Joust")
Artistbreastplate by
Anton Peffenhauser
(Southern Germany (Augsburg), ca. 1520 – 1603)
Culture
Italian
Date1570–1575
MediumSteel, brass and leather with modern restorations
Dimensions61 lb, 12 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsBreastplate bears mark of Anton Peffenhauser (c. 1525-1603). Back is marked with arms of Vienna and number 2
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1142
DescriptionComposite. For the "Welschgestech" ('Italian joust'). Believed to include components from a series of jousting armours made for Duke Nicholas Christoff von Radziwill (1549-1616).Consists of close helmet; collar (altered from Almain collar); breastplate by Anton Peffenhauser with restored lance-rest; associated backplate, from Vienna arsenal; composited pauldrons; vambraces composited; composited cuisses; greaves with sabatons (left restored); associated manifer; associated R gauntlet from field armor; grandguard; pasguard; tilting target.
Label TextEarly joust contestants wore their battlefield armor while competing in the games. However, by the 1400s, participants wore armor specifically designed for their safety. During the joust, competitors aimed their lances at an opponent’s left side, consequently armorers reinforced the left side with either thicker steel or special attachments to deflect the blows. The shield on this armor served as a target for the opponent’s lance as well as protective reinforcement. Breath holes are only on the right side of the helmet, retaining the steel’s full strength on the left side.ProvenanceComposed by Dr. Bashford Dean at Riverdale, 1928, using some Radziwill elements; his A 51 Purchased by Duveen Bros. for Clarence H. Mackay, November 24, 1928, #A-51, at the American Art Association (NYC) sale of Dean's estate, listed as lot 299, plate XL. Purchased by Museum on June 1, 1942 from Gimbel Bros. (NYC). Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Italian
late 1500s–early 1600s, with later decoration and additions
Southern German
about 1580, with modern restorations
