Right Pauldron for a Lancer

Culture Austrian , or

Culture Southern German

Dateearly 17th century

Mediumiron, brass, traces of original leathers, and modern paint

Dimensions21 × 31 × 34.3 cm (8 1/4 × 12 3/16 × 13 1/2 in.), 3 lb 7 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Markings90. in red paint within and "M" in white.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1172.6

DescriptionThe rounded pauldron is deep, with a low medial ridge extending full-length, and passes well over the chest, and is roundly beaten out for the shoulder-blade. There are 2 lames above the mainlame on the R pauldron, only 1 on the L. It is comprised of eight upwardly overlapping lames (six on the left), working on sliding-rivets at both ends of the top two lames of the R pauldron (at front end only of left pauldron) and at the rear of the remaining lames below, as well as on five internal leathers. The top three (two on left) lames recurve gently across the shoulder, the lowest of these deepening appreciably to accommodate the shoulder-blade over which it is rounded out. This plate is extended as a triangular flange (that of the left is a bit more angular) at the armpit rear.

On the right pauldron only, the mainlame is executed as 2 plates, with an articulated extension plate in back. This lame once worked on a rivet and leather arrangement. It would appear that this provision enabled the otherwise deep pauldron to accommodate a couched lance; the butt of this would push up on the plate, moving it vertically. After use, the plate returned to its more-defensive position.

The four (three on the left) lames over the arm are shaped to it, and of more-or-less equal depth as they curve into the anterior of the armpit, and pass out onto the chest. The lowest of these lames is slightly cut out at the armpit, with a curved inner corner. The terminal lame of the pauldron is nearly cylindrical recurving at the armpit as it extends to the rounded rear corner.

The perimeter of the pauldrons has an inwardly turned roped edge over a wire except at the rear flange which is hollow-flanged. It is bordered by iron, domed rivets. The upper edges of all lames are bevelled.

In their overall form, the pauldrons are not dissimilar to those from the Greenwich workshops. They appear round-shouldered, and have a rounded point at the top of the arm. Both are secured by oval, tongued buckle on the top lame (the shank of the right is accomodated by a slight embossing in the edge of the plate below). A transverse strap from the rear edge of the terminal lame below engages an oblong, tongued buckle at the front. The surface beneath the black paint reveals traces of a blue-black patina, with edges possibly once bright.
ProvenanceArchduke Eugen's Armory, Festung Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria to Dec. 1926 purchased by John W. Higgins on March 1, 1927 from Anderson Galleries (NY), their # 104. Given to the Museum on December 15, 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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