Half-Armor for a Member of the Papal Guard
Date1570–1590
Mediumblued and engraved steel with gilding, brass, modern leather
Dimensions17 lb 2 oz (weight without helmet)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsOn both breast and back, close to the roping at the neck, is an armorer's mark-a shield with three fleurs-de-lys charged upon it, under a crown. This might actually be the 3 bees of the Barberini arms. Possibly indicates the reign of Urban VIII, himself a Barberini (r. 1623-44)
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1137
DescriptionPortions of a suit of armor, consisting of breastplate, backplate and pauldrons, with rerebraces; breastplate of peascod form, has roped turn-overs at neck and bordering the gussets. All the elements are engraved with bold gilded strap-work and scrolls, that on the breastplate coming from the mouth of the grotesque mask. The pauldrons have been altered, and the skirt lame has been corroded and reblued. Consists of burgonet (contemporary, but associated); collar (associated, ca. 1620 or later); breast and back plates (ca. 1580-1600); pauldrons (drastically composited and reworked).
14D x 30W as mounted
Label TextThis armor belongs to a group of similar suits, repurposed from combat armor, and decorated for use by the Papal Guard. None of the surviving examples have helmets—they were probably meant to be worn with a stylish hat.ProvenanceViscount Boyne (to 1922) S. J. Whawell Cyril Andrade Purchased by John W. Higgins on May 16, 1930 from Cyril Andrade, Ltd. of London, his no. 18. Given to the Museum on December 15, 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
Italian
late 1500s–early 1600s, with later decoration and additions
