Gorget

Culture Northwestern European

Datelate 1500s–early 1600s

Mediumsteel, brass and leather

Dimensions18.3 cm (7 3/16 in.), 2 lb 15 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1156.2

DescriptionCollar is four plates each front and rear, pivoting at the left lower lame, and secured at the right by a large keyhole-shaped slot engaging a slightly dome-headed modern stud. The uppermost lames are hinged on the left, secured on the right by a hole snapping over a peg. The mainplates front and rear are of the form associated with wear with a buffcoat, but have been altered in forming this composite. Both have a medial dip, and are near vertical in profile, with inwardly turned and plain lower edges. The single sunken border is filled at the front with twelve brass dome-headed rivets, some modern, and nine on the rear, in turn bordered with an inner triple-incised line that also extends on either side of the medial line. A single row of brass rivets, twelve on the front, ten on the rear extends transversely above mid-height, some forming the lower terminals of the internal articulating leathers on the neck lames. Most of the mounts are apparently later, as well as the large holes at the posterior edge of the front mainplate. A row of two in-line holes at the anterior edge of the rear mainplate suggests that the pivot and locking-stud were once mounted in the forward set of holes; the rear pair possibly retained leather straps for pauldrons. The three-lame neck defense is restored, made apparently from old, reworked stocks. Articulation is on triple leathers front and rear. Only the basal set of each is retained with octagonal washers. The edges of these lames are straight-cut, except the uppermost which is outwardly rolled over a thick wire core.
Provenance(Armor only) No provenance prior to Andrade. Purchased by John W Higgins from Cyril Andrade, Ltd (London) on 5 October 1929. Given to the Armory on 10 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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