"Tapulbrust" Breastplate

Dateabout 1540

Mediumsteel with modern leathers

Dimensions43.2 × 36.8 × 22.2 cm (17 × 14 1/2 × 8 3/4 in.), 7 lb (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsBindenschild stamped below neck at right. Dots at top and bottom of medial ridge probably left over from laying out the piece.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.758

DescriptionSteel, very overcleaned. Boxish form, no provision for lance rest, with full length medial ridge & curving out into rounded joint at just below mid height. Level neck, curved slightly at ends, with a pair of lace-holes at the center. Articulated angular gussets having oblong buckles riveted to face at top. Turns here are angular & well-cabled, with triple knurl at middle.

Fauld of 3 lames, possibly associated, but later repaired at left end, top lame. Each of equal depth, rounded to hips & riveted at ends, once with internal leathers. Terminal lame with 4 straps for tassets, & low arced, file-roped turn at fork, with narrow shallow recessed band pierced with keyhole slot for brayette (now covered by the immobilized lame above).

Some cracking and delamination. Internal hammerwork is rather coarse, but the piece is somewhat heavy. The two middle tasset strap rivets interfere with the articulation of the skirt lames.
Label TextThis elegantly sculpted breastplate imitates the look of a man's civilian jacket in the days of Henry VIII.ProvenancePurchased by the Museum on August 7, 1930 from H. Furmage, London, England, his no. 1. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.

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