Breastplate

Culture Southern German

Date1557

Mediumetched and blackened steel and brass

Dimensions46.4 × 40.6 × 23.5 cm (18 1/4 × 16 × 9 1/4 in.)
Weight: 13 lb. 4 oz.

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsIn the border across the upper edge is the etched legend: CHR'VS MORTVVS EST P'P PECCATA NRA/ RESURREXIT P'P IVSTIFICACIONEM NRI/ A+D+E+M+Y IPHY + 1557 AE:67 (Christ died for our sins/ Rose for our salvation/ Ademus Iphus (Adam Joseph?), 1557, aged 67th year). On the upper half of the breast are scenes of the crucifixion (right) and the resurrection (left), etched like the legend above. All three of the motifs are places within incised framing, cut to the borders of the breast and medial line. The main scenes have their lower borders as a pair of spaced, incised lines, cusped at the mid-point. There is some indication of more modern work; some lines have obviously been placed in at a later date, or re-done. The legend above is much clearer than the etching below, and has certainly been refreshed to some degree. This could quite well have been a plain, white breast, etched at a later date. Posterior edge of right gusset with a shallow nick.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.737

DescriptionSteel, of unusual weight, possibly of "proof". Breast elongated, with waistline dipped down towards fork. Medial ridge runs full length, peaking outwardly at about 2/3 of its length. Upper edge of breast nearly parallel, only slightly dipped near extremities. Flexible gussets secured with brass rivets (one modern) & are spring-loaded (cf. however to a similar set on the breastplate of Guidobaldo II delle Rovere, Duke of Urbino, made by Filippo Negroli about 1529. In the Bargello, Florence M772/778, plate 245 in Boccia/Coelho). Edges of gussets & upper edge of breast inwardly rolled, outwardly flared, & boldly cabled with chisel-marks. At mid-point of each is spaced, raised moulding. Right gusset inner edge has been cut away to accomodate bolts of lance-rest, now lacking. Holes are plugged.

Plain, sunken border around armpits & across top of breast, below legend. This reads "CHR[IST]VS MORTVVS EST P[RO]P[TER] PECCATA N[OST]RA/RESURREXIT P[RO]P[TER] IVSTIFICACIONEM N[OST]RI/A + D + E + M + 4 IPH4 + 1557 AE:67".

At base of medial ridge just below waist is "L" shaped bracket which serves to retain leather belt from backplate in position.

5 punched holes on interior of breastplate flange, one at the medial line, one pair each near the terminals, for the leathers of a fauld (lacking). In its place is a single, outwardly curved lame (restored or associated), pierced with two sets of holes for tassets (lacking).
Label TextThis breastplate is highly ornate, yet heavy enough to resist musket balls. In fact, most ceremonial armors of the sixteenth century were made as functional as armor for the battlefield. The inscription reads "Christ died for our sins, was resurrected for our salvation. Adam Joseph, 1557, aged 67." The hook at the belly secured a belt that attached the backplate to the front. The gussets at the armpits of this piece are spring-loaded, allowing the arms to flex forward, but closing off the gap when they are unflexed.ProvenanceArmory of the Hohenloff Theodore Offermann (York Galleries) Clarence H Mackay (Roslyn, LI) Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. Purchased by the Armory 18 July 1939 from Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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