"Mitten" Gauntlet

Culture German , or

Culture Austrian

Date1540-1560

Mediumsteel

Dimensions32 × 18 cm (12 5/8 × 7 1/16 in.), 1 lb, 6 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.573

DescriptionSteel, for right hand. Short, wide slightly flared 2 piece, riveted cuff. Inner plate is stepped. Inturned, roped edges with fluted rivets. To inside of rivets is decorative "groove" encircling cuff, becoming a strong medial ridge to first lame. Cuffed embossed for wrist-bone. Cuff covers back of hand & base of thumb. 6 lames cover fingers. Terminal lame is deepest, pointed & decorated like cuff. All lames bracket-cut at center. Raised reinforcing rib with roping on lame below cuff. A pattern of double engraved lines is still discernable.
Label TextLike modern handwear, gauntlets came in two versions—glove and mitten. Glove-style gauntlets allowed better mobility for the hands than mitten gauntlets, but offered less protection. Gauntlets originally had leather gloves stitched inside, but the leather rarely survives. In addition to the fluid shaping of its wrist and forearm, this example features a number of ornamental refinements. Note the decorative notches in the metal plates across the fingers, the detailing of the pointed cuff, and the fluted rivets throughout.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins from Liberty & Co. Ltd., London, England. Given to the Museum on December 15, 1928. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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