Almain Collar
Culture
Swiss
, perhaps Freiburg
Dateprobably early 1600s
Mediumsteel and leather
Dimensions17.1 × 47 × 26 cm (6 3/4 × 18 1/2 × 10 1/4 in.), 3 lb 5 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsTo left of medial ridge at point of frontplate are traces of a stamped, grid-like mark, perhaps that of Solothurn, or less likely, of Freiburg. See digital file.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.783
DescriptionPolished steel, with old leathers. Gorget of 2 neck-plates and 1 mainplate both front & rear> eck lames curved to neck & working on 3 leathers each, riveted to mainplates below. Edge at neck is strong, turned inward, & crisply roped with close-set lines. Top lames are hinged at left & secure closed via peg-and-hole at right. Below turn are sets of small holes for securing lining. Front lower neck lame & mainplate have medial notch & ridge. Frontplate has bluntly pointed, unturned edge, & rearplate very slightly downcurved, pierced at bottom with pair of holes at mid-width. Mainplates are riveted on left shoulder, securing shut with keyhole slot & domed stud on right. At sides, working on sliding rivets along rear, & pair of internal leathers, are cap-like 2-lame spaudlers covering points of arms. Anterior leather of right has pierced post that passes through hole on collar frontplate, where it is locked by pivot-hook.
Atop shoulders are modern hinged pivoting posts with spring-catches for attaching pauldrons (in a composite suit of armor).
ProvenanceEdward Hubbard Litchfield collection purchased on December 5, 1951by the Museum at Parke-Bernet Galleries (NY), sale no. 1293, lot 160. Paid $70 for lot. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Desiderius Helmschmid
about 1552
