Left Tasset, from a Garniture, probably made for Ludwig Ungnad von Weissenwolf auf Sunegg

Artist Desiderius Helmschmid (German, Augsburg, 1513–1579)

Artistdecorated by Jörg T. Sorg the Younger (Southern Germany, Augsburg, about 1525 – 1603)

Dateabout 1552

Mediumsteel with embossed, etched, blackened and gilded decoration, with modern brass, velvet, leather and steel

Dimensions23 × 24 cm (9 1/16 × 9 7/16 in.), 1 lb, 5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsAll major components are internally marked with HAM accession number in black on a white field.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.74.9

DescriptionThese are a symmetrically formed pair. Each is of roughly trapezoidal outline, with a low medial ridge, and curved to the leg. Each tasset is of four upwardly overlapping plates of more-or-less equal depth, each plate squared at its ends save the inner end of the topmost lame which narrows slightly and is pointed and curved at the fork. The lames work on a pair of internal leathers and sliding-rivets at the outer edge. The basal corners of each lame have flush iron rivets which retain fragments of the original leather lining-band under the large, flat heads within. There is a modern strip of leather at the inner edge of the right tasset, the outer edge of which has empty holes.

Viewed from within, the basal edge of the top three lames dips slightly at the points of articulation. The ends of all lames, and the basal edge of the terminal lame have inward, roped buckles for the leathers of the skirt. On the terminal lame of each is a turning-pin and domed brass stud which secures the tasset to the thigh defense below.

The primary decorative motif follows the medial line and the sides, and a row of the gilded semi-circles follows the basal edge of the terminal plates.The tassets appear to be the form used in many compositions including Fussturnierharnisch (p. 71, fig. 9 of Gamber) , Harnasch (p. 76, fig. 18), leichter Reiterharnisch (p. 77, fig. 19), knechtischer Harnasch (p. 84, fig. 22, with laminated cuisses less poleyns), Fusskueriss/Feldkueriss (p. 58-59, fig. 8).
ProvenancePer Stephen V. Grancsay in the Armory's 1961 catalogue, this armor was inherited from the Sachsen-Altenburg line by the Schwarzburg-Sondershauser in or after 1869. Ex collection, the Duke of Altenburg (Schloss Altenburg, Thuringia, Germany); Prince Schwarzburg-Sondershausen; Clarence H. Mackay (Harbor Hill, Roslyn, L.I., NY). Purchased by Museum on April 1, 1940 from Jacques Seligmann & Co. (NYC), agents for the estate of Clarence H. Mackay, their no. A-20-110. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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