Left Cuisse
Culture
Northern Italian
, Milan
Date1560–1570
Mediumsteel (once blued) with gilding, brass, and iron with modern leather
Dimensions46 × 16 × 11 cm (18 1/8 × 6 5/16 × 4 5/16 in.), 2 lb, 4 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.12.10
DescriptionThe mainplate of the left is modern, but in all other respects the cuisses are a matching pair. Each is constructed of a mainplate which is curved to the thigh, and extends over the outer side of the leg. The top edge curves symmetrically from the groin to an apex on the outer face, then down to the rear. The edge itself is hollow-flanged and deeply etched with roping at the outer side, and inwardly turned and boldly chisel-roped above (that of the left is turned over a wire core). Both are bordered with a continuous broad, trophied band between two narrow raised lines. The top band, to the outside of the leg, is filled with six lining-rivets. The complete band is bordered by a low, embossed rope-etched framed rib. Extending down from this, along both the medial line and centered on the outer side of the leg, are low ridges; that on the front extends full length, and both are trophy-etched en suite with the other components. The straight inner edge is plain and unturned, with a band of tendril etching.
The mainplate is secured to the leg by a single buckled leather strap (the buckle with traces of a purplish paint) across the back of the leg, and narrows to the knee where it is fitted with a poleyn of two lames above and three below overlapping away from the central mainlame. This curves out over the knee where the edges are drawn into low, curved points. The straight inner edge is fitted with a riveted leather which engages a buckle on a similar leather on the side-wing. This is ovoid, of generally heart-shaped form drawn into a low point at the V-shaped pucker. The edges of the wing are inwardly turned and chisel-roped, and bordered by a recessed, trophy-etched band within narrow framing lines. A similar motif is etched in a triangular form in the pucker.
The two lames above and below are narrow, deepening slightly to mid-width, from the straight inner edges to the pointed outer side, and are bluntly pointed at the pivots and medial ridge. To either side of the medial band the edges are tendril-etched within framed bands, as is the inner side. The terminal lame is deeper, slightly rounded at the basal corners and extends straight across the leg with an inwardly turned, chisel-roped edge. The edge is bordered as that of the top of the mainplate above.
Near both sides, the lame is roughly punched with a single hole. While these are old, there is insufficient indication of their contemporary use as mounting holes for greaves, and in any event, the presence of the finished edge suggests an armor of three-quarter length. If greaves were attached, the absence of keyhole-shaped slots indicates that they would have been permanently affixed, making the turned edge an unnecessary extravagance. They may, in fact, have been punched at a time when the armor was displayed at Wilton House, and perhaps fitted with greaves to 'complete' the harness.
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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