Fragmentary Inner Pommel Plate for a Saddle

Dateabout 1550–1560

Mediumetched steel

Dimensions7 × 0.4 × 20.9 cm (2 3/4 × 3/16 × 8 1/4 in.), 2 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsHAM-1992.01.2, "29.158.406" (ex collection Metropolitan Museum of Art); "132" (unknown source). All in red paint.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.10.5

DescriptionSteel. Slightly curved rectangular inner pommel plate belonging to saddle HAM # 406.3. Top & side edges have small inwardly turned flange. 5 vertical etched bands, separated by 4 smaller horizontal rectangles along at top edge. Panels filled with elongated trilobated openwork cartouches with central diamond on stippled ground, traces of gilding. One small rivet hole near each outer vertical band. Flat piece of polished steel, vertically curved in a low arc with squared ends. Top and side edges are inwardly hollow-flanged, and the basal edge is unfinished. At mid-height on either end, the face is pierced with a small mounting hole. The surface is decorated with five evenly spaced etched and fire-gilded bands, the central of which is broader than the others. Etched rectangular cartouches across the top edge fill the voids between bands. The bands and cartouches are filled with a finely etched, lobated cartouche framework with trefoil terminals and an open central lozenge at either end of which is an open oval. The body of the cartouche is filled with fine, scrolling tendrils on a plain ground, having comma-shaped terminals. The lozenges and ovals, and the ground of the bands is tightly, finely stippled and gilded. The bands are set off by framing pair of polished fillets and a thin, etched and gilded recessed band.
Label TextA knight's war saddle was often armored with a "pommel plate" in front and a "cantle plate" in back, decorated to match the rider's armor. The plates protected the knight's groin, hips, and thighs. The pommel plate might also be fitted with hooks for hanging extra weapons such as a mace or war hammer.ProvenanceDr. Bashford Dean (to 1928) estate of Dean (to 1929) Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY (acc. no. 29.158.406, to 1992). Museum purchase from department of Arms and Armor, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, on August 14, 1992. Price paid for lot of three pieces including HAM 1992.01.1 a & b. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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