Lower Lames of a Fauld (one of two)

Culture Northern Italian , perhaps Milan

Dateabout 1520

Mediumsteel

Dimensions7.5 × 34.3 × 17 cm (2 15/16 × 13 1/2 × 6 11/16 in.), 11 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsStamped with the Rotunda Museum artillery-piece logo & "MA 2349" (Rotunda class XVII, number 252). No armorer's marks visible.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.658.1

DescriptionTerminal and first lame ascending, of steel, from the skirt of a North Italian fluted globose breastplate. Concave to the body, producing hoop shape. The lames pivot approximately 3 inches from the terminals, on modern fixtures, overlapping upwards. Lames of more-or-less equal depth over their length to slightly angled ends. Later holes have been made in recent years. Both lames are embossed with three groups of five slightly raised flutes, each isolated by a single incised line, and a double set at the medial area of each embossing, the lines extending full-length to the dentated upper edge. The groups are formed so as to angle inwardly as they progress up the remaining lames. The center group on the terminal lame is finished below with a triangular base to each flute, and bordered at the basal edge with a hollow transverse embossing with incised roping. Edges are unturned & plain, except for basal edge at the fork which rises in near-imperceptible arc, is hollow-flanged & cabled above. At upper edge of this lame, to either side of fork, are holes for tasset straps or hinges. The holes along the lower edge are probably for lining-rivets. Small holes in vertical sets near the pivot rivets may have been for leathers; the lower of each is apparently modern, made when the lames were re-riveted together. The lames are decorated with lightly etched motives. The fluting bears traces of rather randomly applied volutes, running scrollwork or vine-like tendrils, and overlapping pellets. The areas between the fluted bands are etched with scrolling vegetation, the voluted multiple arms of which have dagged ends, and originate from a common point (this on the upper lame). The basal lame has lobated stalkwork, but the motif is a tightly voluted one, reminiscent of the breast and collar at the Stibbert Museum, and armor #69 at Churburg. Both motives are black-etched on a hatched ground. Boccia (in Armi e Armature Lombarde, fig 107) states that the Tower breastplate (III. 1087) to which these lames belong, exhibits traces of silvered decoration; at present, no traces can be noted on our lames.
ProvenanceRhodes General Lefroy Museum of Artillery, the Rotunda, Woolwich. Presented to John W. Higgins in April 1930 by the Keeper of Woolwich Arsenal. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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