Right Pauldron from a "Stechzeug" (jousting armor)

Artist Master of the Crowned Orb and Cross (Flanders (Brussels))

Dateabout 1500

Mediumsteel and leather

Dimensions38.1 × 25.4 × 17.8 cm (15 × 10 × 7 in.), 3 lb 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsWithin, on rear face is a set of addorsed, teardrop-shaped marks. Anterior edge of each of seven lower lames bears a pair of shallow, cut nicks. Near upper rear edge of central lame is stamped an armorer's mark of what is apparently an open circle charged with a simple cross, the whole surmounted with a crown, itself with three shallow fleurons (crowned orb?). See photo of mark in digital file. To the left of this is an indistinguishable group of struck marks, which may also be those of the maker. Centered on the rear inner face is a set of addorsed teardrop-shaped hammer marks.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.802

DescriptionOf mainlame plus 3 above, 7 below, all overlapping away from mainlame. This is narrow & bluntly pointed at front, deepening to rear where it is rounded & bossed for shoulderblade. Edge here is plain & recessed. All lames rise in low cusps at rivets at ends, & at medial line which has full-length low ridge. Upper- & lowermost lames are pierced with horizontal set of holes for eyelets of points, & have strong, angular, outward plain turns. There are several empty holes on mainlame. That to the rear of medial line is perhaps the former location of internal buckle, those at front, perhaps locations of the mount for a besagew. Buckle & strap encircling arm on lowest lame.

Pauldron for Stechzeug, of eleven lames. The pauldron is relatively shallow at the front, not unlike later "almain rivett" armors. The lames lengthen rearward, especially the central lame which also broadens roundedly, shaped to the shoulder-blade, finished in a rounded arc, plain sunken border. The upper and lower terminal lames (both pierced for points) have outwardly turned, boxed edges.

The upper three lames do not belong. The upper two appear to be old, but reworked (the lower edge of the top lame has been cut down, and the second lame bears holes for redundant articulating rivets or leathers.) The third lame (also apparently old) is incised with a tranverse single line, and traces of diagonally-incised decoration on the outer face. These lames overlap upwards. The two lower lames have mitered upper edges, cusped slightly at the articulating rivets and the reworked medial ridge.

Overlapping the lower of the three lames is the central plate. This has apparently been cut down along the upper edge, and deformed at the lower rear. There is a set of holes, one large and one small near the anterior edge. These may have been for a now-lacking reinforce. At the medial point are the two round-headed rivets (one lacking) for an internal leather (also lacking). To the rear of this is a vertical set of pierced holes, purpose unknown. This lame is cusped, mitered and medially embossed en suite.

The mainplate overlaps seven possibly associated downward-lapping lames, cusped, mitered and medially-embossed as those above, all once working on an internal central leather (lacking), and sliding rivets on circular washers at either edge. The terminal lame is fitted with a trapezoidal buckle and modern strap, both secured by decorative brass rivets, that securing the buckle is cut with a foliate design; that of the strap is associated and incised in a radiating pattern.
Label TextTournament armor was never made in very large numbers, and early examples are extremely rare. This piece has the characteristic scalloped look of Gothic armor. The maker's mark can be seen at the top of the back side.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins from the Estate of Dr. Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY) on September 28, 1929, his no. 47. Price of $30 included HAM#787 and 788. Given to the Museum on December 26, 1946. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

On View

Not on view

Collections