Left Tasset
Culture
Northern Italian
, Milan
Date1560–1570
Mediumsteel (once blued) with gilding, brass, and iron with modern leather
Dimensions27 × 24 × 7 cm (10 5/8 × 9 7/16 × 2 3/4 in.), 1 lb, 12 oz (1 × 0.8 lb.)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.12.5
DescriptionThese are a symmetrical pair, of oblong trapezoidal shape, with a low medial ridge and curved to the body. Each is constructed of ten lames of near-equal depth, overlapping upward, and narrowing in width toward the top. Except for the basal, each lame is squared at the ends, decorated nearly identically to the skirt above, and all lames have a V-shaped nick in their straight upper edge at the medial ridge. The top lame inner edge curves to a point at the fork. At mid-height across the face of this lame is a set of three bilobated iron buckles for the skirt straps. The lames articulate on sliding rivets at the outside edge and a pair of internal leathers on the medial line and inner edge. The basal lame is slightly deeper than those above, and curves up at the corners from the straight lower edge which is hollow-tunred inward and chisel roped, gilded en suite. (These lames seem to have been reversed, based on the misalignment of the medial bands.) The etched basal band is filled with a row of eight restored brass rivets and circular steel washers. Old, flush iron lining-rivets with flattened heads within remain at both ends of the top (lost on left tasset), fourth and seventh lames.ProvenanceEarls of Pembroke and Montgomery (Wilton House, Wiltshire, England) to 14 June 1923 Joseph Duveen, their no. 28637. Purchased by John W. Higgins on 18 January 1928. Given to the Armory on 21 March 1928. Collection tarnsfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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