Breastplate
Cultureprobably
Italian
Dateabout 1500–1510
Mediumsteel with modern patching
Dimensions41.3 × 36.6 × 18.3 cm (16 1/4 × 14 7/16 × 7 3/16 in.), 3 lb 7 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Terms
Object number2014.741
DescriptionSingle smooth piece of steel, globose in form, without medial ridge. Upper half projects angularly forward in near-imperceptible arc to just below mid-breast where it is beaten out as rounded, transverse bulge. Broad neck opening depressed slightly between squared terminals of shoulders. Deep arms without gussets & finished with plain angular outward hollow turns like neck. Sides below are slightly rounded, with straight rear edges & taper to straight waist. At front, curves in & terminates in narrow basal flange pierced for riveted fauld (only topmost lame preserved), narrow, curved to body. Lame of near-equal depth over length, deepening only slightly as it dips to medial region. Below each of the flattened, roughly circular rivets at the squared ends is another hole on the unturned basal edge, indicating one or more lames below are now lost.
The repaired loss at the right makes it impossible to determine whether the breastplate was pierced for a lance-rest. Modern riveted repairs, largest is at proper right armhole extending into center.
ProvenanceRhodes Beshiklash his brother in Paris Louis R. Bachereau Bashford Dean, object number 62. Purchased by John W. Higgins on September 28, 1929 from estate of Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY). Given to the Museum on December 26, 1946. See data sheet of 928.11. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2104.
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