Gorget (neck-guard) from an armor of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully
Culture
French
Dateabout 1630
Mediumbrass with etching
Dimensions13 × 21 × 28.5 cm (5 1/8 × 8 1/4 × 11 1/4 in.), 1 lb. 6 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.784
DescriptionOf type for use with a buffcoat, consisting of 2 thick brass plates pivoting atop left shoulder & secured by keyhole-shaped slot & brass stud at right. Plates are curved to throat where they are finished in a short upstanding flange with inwardly rolled, plain turn above & row of lining-rivet holes below. Frontplate extends down from atop shoulders well over breast & has wide, rounded basal edge that is turned & bordered by low domed brass rivets as the flange. Only one rivet retains its thin, squared brass washer that held the thin lining now lost. Rearplate has similarly turned & rivet-filled borders. The plate itself extends down over the very top of the shoulder-blade, with rounded corners and gently curved basal edge. The fit of the two plates is less than perfect, but the matching patination and decorative treatment suggests that they were contemporaneously related. The collar is decorated overall with delicate, light etching that has been refreshed with a darkening wash applied by the Armory's conservator. The neck flange and basal perimeter have both plain and darkened narrow fillets. Similar fillets extend up the medial region and on either side. This produces on each half two primary, rather trapezoidal components, with a secondary triangular one to the outside of each. These are framed by running bands of etched foliate tracery whose tendrils have delicate leafed branches and voluted terminals. The ground is left plain, save localized accenting dots and crescentic shading.
The main compartments on the frontplate (proper right to left) are decorated with a heavy-featured stallion, shown in left quarter rear view, its head turned towards the viewer; opposite this compartment is shown a ten-point deer in right near profile. Both figures are shown on a natural ground, and the background is filled by leaved tendrils with floral volutes.
The rearplate compartments are rendered rather similarly, but with a horse galloping over uneven ground in each, the animals facing the center. Above each horse is a recurving, voluted branch upon which is perched an eagle. In the triangular compartments on the shoulders are trophial groups. That of the left contains a drum, a musical horn or trombone, and a lance. The right group consists of a strung bow with quiver, additional arrows and a lance.
Although the plates are of brass, their thickness suggests that the collar was made to be battle-ready.
ProvenanceSold at Hausmann (Paris?) in 1927 or 1929 Louis R. Bachereau (Paris). Purchased by John W. Higgins on 27 May 1939, from Louis R. Bachereau (46, Rue de Provence, Paris). Given to the Armory on 26 December 1946. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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