Right Greave and Sabaton frontplate
Dateabout 1590–1600
Mediumsteel, iron, brass and leather
DimensionsMeasurements of both front and rear plates: 47 × 11.5 × 29 cm (18 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 11 7/16 in.), 3 lbs 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsGreaves have Augsburg pinecone view-mark (Stadtpyr) atop the frontplate near edge (see photos in digital file), and single nicks on inside edges of ankle-& sabaton lames of right defense.
Inside L greave frontplate and sabaton central plate is a roughly scratched *. Inside the R greave rearplate is *+.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1175.14.1
DescriptionRight greave, 3 lb. 10 oz. (front upper half: 13 oz, rear upper half: 13 oz., front ankle and sabaton: 1 lb. 3 oz., rear heel plate: 7 oz.), forms pair with left, of high-quality.Greave consists of front & rear mainplates, shaped to leg, each half with full-length medial ridge. Both plates are secured at the sides by a pair of pierced brass lugs and pivot-hooks. The edges at the top are curved and roped at the rear, and plain with relocated domed studs on the front. The basal edges are level, hollow-flanged, and roped, ending well above the ankle.
The greaves are attached by short pegs and a central turning-pin to sets of four, upwardly overlapping narrow lames riveted to the heel and ankle plates below. The lames work on a central leather and brass-capped sliding-rivets a the ends. The heel and ankle plates are embossed for the ankle-bones; the heel plate has a high, roped arched slot for a spur, with rounded basal corners. The plates are locked as the greave halves.
Riveted to the ankle plate is a sabaton, similarly articulated. This consists of a mainlame, with five cusped lames above and three below articulating toward it. The basal edges are straight, inwardly turned and roped; those at the ankle-plate and the second lame below the mainlame are pierced with a row of small holes probably for a leather beneath the foot. Riveted at the front is a tapered, boxed toe-cap that has a lip below to attach under the toe of the shoe worn beneath.
ProvenanceDresden Electoral Armory (possibly) Friedrich August III, King of Saxony Kahlert & Son (Berlin), their no. 87 William R. Hearst Clarence H. MacKay (Roslyn, L. I.) his A-32. Sold with shaffron HAM# 2586.2. Purchased by the Armory from Jacques Seligmann & Co. (NYC), agents for the Mackay estate on 1 April 1940, their A-32/113. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
about 1590–1600
about 1590–1600
about 1590–1600
