Three-Quarter Field Armor, possibly for Henry Herbert, second Earl of Pembroke
Culture
Northern Italian
, Milan
Date1560–1570
Mediumsteel (once blued) with gilding, brass, modern leather
Dimensions137 cm (53 15/16 in.), 43 lb. 4 oz. (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsSingle V-shaped nicks on topmost lame and that below, inner edges of cowter lames of right vambrace; edge of left knuckle-plate, inner edges of right poleyn (except basal lame). Double nicks on right knuckle-plate and near medial line of all other (exc. left knuckle-plate) lames, including cuffs of both gauntlets.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.12
DescriptionClose-helmet of 1-piece ovoid skull, with moderately high chisel-roped comb 2-part visor & 3 upwardly-overlapping gorget plates below. No gorget preserved. Breastplate of 1-piece "peascod" form, with gussets, pierced for a lance rest (lost). Backplate of 1 boxish piece presently fitted with riveted 1-piece culet. Tassets, with decoration resembling that of skirt & breastplate, but associated; oblong, trapezoidal shape, each with 10 lames. Pauldrons: L mainplate extends well over chest & shoulder-blade; R identical in form & construction & cut short for lance use with fittings for lost extension-plate. Vambraces consisting of closed upper cannons with riveted bracelet cowters, lower cannons hinged. Cuisses of one-piece mainplate curved to thigh (L mainplate restored), with laminated poleyns for use without greaves. Gauntlets an identical pair; fingered (scales lost), comprised of one-piece, flared pointed cuff riveted closed along inner face.Label TextJust as modern-day fashionistas look to Milan for trendsetting styles in shoes and clothing, English noblemen at the time of Queen Elizabeth I looked to Milan for the latest look in armor. This well-tailored suit comes from the family armory of the earls of Pembroke, and was probably made for the second earl, Henry Herbert. The exquisitely shaped breastplate imitates the shape of a man’s civilian jacket. The etched and gilded bands replicate the embroidered trim that would hide the jacket’s seam lines. Pembroke was a noted patron of the arts. In later years, his sister married the poet Sir Philip Sidney. Pembroke also became the patron of William Shakespeare’s theatrical company. ProvenanceEarls of Pembroke and Montgomery, Wilton House, Wiltshire, England; (June 14, 1923, Wilton House Sale, Sotheby's London, No. 28637); (Joseph Duveen [1869-1939]); January 18, 1928, John W. Higgins [1874-1961], Worcester, MA; March 21, 1928, given to the Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, MA; January 2014, transferred with Higgins Armory Collection to the Worcester Art Museum.
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