Breastplate for Service on Foot
Dateabout 1580
Mediumfire-blued steel
Dimensions43.2 × 35.6 × 17.8 cm (17 × 14 × 7 in.), 5 lb 14 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsA pair of small punched dots is found on the left side of the breastplate flange at mid-length. No other marks are visible.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Terms
Object number2014.755.1
DescriptionThis and 2014.755.2 are a cuirass of associated halves. This is rounded, of one piece, without provision for a lance-rest, and narrows only sightly at the sides to the downcurved waist. It projects forward in a rounded 'peascod' that hangs below the waistline, with a low medial ridge extending full-length from below the neck opening. This is deeply curved, and is finished with a strong angular outward plain turn. The arm openings are also deep, and similarly turned, without gussets.
The breastplate is beaten well up over the front of the shoulders, and terminated in squared ends that were once fitted with leather straps. The bottom of the breastplate is beaten out in a narrow, downturned flange which is deeply curved to a blunt point at the fork. The flange is itself pierced at the ends and asymmetrically to either side of the medial line, for a lost fauld.
The overall blued (now russet) finish of both back and breastplates is apparently original.
Label TextMaintenance of metal armor was a constant challenge. Surfaces were sometimes treated to offer a degree of rust-resistance, using techniques such as painting, and fire-blueing as seen here.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins from Fenton & Sons, Ltd. (London) on 7 July 1926. Price paid: L12 ($58.44). Given to the Armory on 26 December 1946. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Northern Italian
about 1585–1590, with later alterations
