Fingered Gauntlet
Culture
Italian
Date1590–1600
Mediumsteel with modern restorations
Dimensions30.5 × 14 × 14 cm (12 × 5 1/2 × 5 1/2 in.), 14 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.572
DescriptionSteel, for right hand. Flared, bluntly pointed riveted cuff with metacarpal defense of 4 lames & knuckle-plate with finger scales. Detached metacarpal lames & knuckle may be old but decorated to match. Finger scales modern. Cuff has inwardly turned, file-roped edge, followed by 2 bands of etched guilloche, within narrow, bright fillets. Rest of surface etched with diapered pattern of scales alternately filled with 8-pointed stars or fleur-de-lis. Plain ground, no signs of gilding. Same pattern on metacarpal defense, & guilloche on knuckle-plate. Finger scales have medial band of guilloche & star at fingertip.Label TextThe gauntlet or "gage" was one of the most symbolic parts of a suit of armor. Like Bolingbroke in Richard II, we still speak of "throwing down the gauntlet" when a challenge is issued. Newly dubbed knights were struck with a gauntlet as part of the ceremony.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Desiderius Helmschmid
about 1552
