Field Armor, from a Small Garniture, perhaps for Siegmund Friedrich, Freiherr von Herberstein (d. 1621)

Culture Southern German , probably Augsburg

Dateabout 1580, with modern restorations

Mediumsteel with etching and gilding, iron, brass, leather fragments and modern leather with restorations

Dimensions177.8 × 68.6 × 43.2 cm (70 × 27 × 17 in.), 41 lb 6 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsTraces of an indistinct armorer's/guild mark on fall, proper left of medial ridge. Inner face of restored lames stamped with single-digit assembly numbers. HAM accession number "2584."

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.660

DescriptionConsists of burgonet with falling buffe; collar; breast and backplates; fauld and tassets (restored by Tachaux); pauldrons; vambraces (associated); gauntlets (composited); cuisses and greaves/sabatons (restored by Tachaux). Tachaux's restorations were etched and gilded by Francois Daubresse.

Weight without greaves/sabatons: 34 lb. 2 oz.. 14D x 26W as mounted.
Label TextA garniture was a suit of armor with “pieces of exchange” that could be traded in and out to adapt it for different uses. As displayed, this suit might be worn by an officer of infantry. A similar configuration might be used for a light cavalryman, who would serve for scouting or skirmishing. A row of push-buttons on the face-guard allow it to fold downward for easier breathing and vision. The decoration of this armor features intertwined linear patterns inspired by Islamic designs. The edges are finished with rope-like turned edges that imitate the braided trim used on civilian clothing. Provenance(Possibly) Herberstein family, Eggenberg Castle (possibly) Victor Bachereau (Paris) Oliver H. P. Belmont (NYC) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.) Purchased by the Museum through Jacques Seligmann & Co. (NYC), agents for the estate of Clarence H. Mackay on 1 April 1940. Their number A-14/104. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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