Composite Half-Armor for a Youth

Artist Felix Joubert (British, 1872–1953)

Date1550–1575, with modern restorations

Mediumsteel with gilding, brass and leather

Dimensions69.9 cm (27 1/2 in.), 14 lb (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsBreast- and backplates bear the etched arms of the Medici, charged with the cross Maltese of the Order of San Stefano delle Vittorie. Interior of right tasset lames marked with ascending sequence nicks, except for terminal lame (1 to 4 nick). Left tasset is similarly marked, but with punched dots on the lower edges (1 to 4 dots).

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1157

DescriptionHeavily composed and restored, in part probably by Joubert. Original components are breastplate (etched to match the back), backplate, and probably L gauntlet. Breast and back may be cut down from full-size versions. Collar, pauldrons, vambraces, tassets, and R gauntlet restored, though at different stages; vambraces are not a pair. No helmet.
Label TextPortions of this armor were probably worn by a member of the Medici family of Florence. The breast and backplates sport the family coat of arms and well as the cross of the Order of Saint Stephen of Victory, founded by Cosimo de Medici in 1554.ProvenanceFelix Joubert of London sold to Clarence H. Mackay in 1922 Purchased by John W. Higgins from Jacques Seligman & Co., NY (agents for Mackay) on 18 July 1939. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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