"Mitten" Gauntlet for the Right Hand

Culture Southern German

Datelate 1400s-early 1500s

Mediumsteel and leather

Dimensions23 cm (9 1/16 in.), 7 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1173.6

DescriptionSteel, with restored leather strap & iron buckle. Poor condition, lacking its thumb, heavily patched at riveted ends, & pock-marked with various holes & losses. With exception of associated cuff, all other elements appear to belong together, & are from South German example, end of 15th c.

Consists of 4 lames above & terminal below, all overlapping down from a triangularly embossed knuckle-lame. The lame above, & terminal lame have triangular recesses between fingers. Terminal boxish, gently curved at end, which has plain, inward turn followed by triangularly recessed band. Ends of metacarpal lames rise into low points over iron rivets. The lame riveted to cuff is embossed for wrist-bone.

Cuff formed to outer side of hand only. Flares bell-like towards the hand opening, & has an inwardly crimped, rather triangularly recessed band. Sharp medial ridge down the face almost to lower edge, & here is pair of curving, divergent ridges on either side. Lower edge dentated at center, indicating cuff once overlapped another plate. Side edges retain modern buckle & strap. Cuff could date as early as middle of the century.
ProvenanceGuy F. Laking (London) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.), his A-24 Jacques Seligmann & Company (NYC). Card file states ex (Oliver H.P.) Belmont Collection (NYC and Newport), but not verified by Grancsay's entry. Purchased by Museum on July 18, 1939 from Jacques Seligmann & Co. (NYC), agents for estate of Clarence H. Mackay. Paid $500 for suit. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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