Almain Collar
Culture
German
, Nuremberg
Date1600–1650
Mediumsteel with black paint and modern leather
Dimensions14 × 82.6 × 31.8 cm (5 1/2 × 32 1/2 × 12 1/2 in.), 3 lb 14 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsNuremberg 'Beschau' at point of frontplate, to right of medial line.
Attached brass tag "E.59" from Eugen collection. "59" inside in red paint.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.654.2
DescriptionBlack-painted steel. Gorget of front and back plates, six lames each spaudler, & a hollow-flanged basal edge to frontplate. Terminal lames of spaudlers retain fragments of leather edging. Has lost securing leather at right side of collar.Label TextArmor was once the mark of the aristocratic knight, but by Shakespeare's day, "munitions-grade" armor like these shoulder defences was being mass-produced for ordinary footsoldiers. The almain ("German") collar was a cheap, one-size-fits-all design, worn by blocks of pikemen, whose long spears served to defend the musketeers at close quarters.ProvenanceArchduke Eugen's Armory, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria purchased by John W. Higgins on March 1, 1927 from Anderson Galleries (NY), their no. 103. Given to the Museum on December 26, 1946. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
German
about 1540–1625, with 19th-20th century restorations
