Left Vambrace

Artist Franz Großschedel , and/or (Landshut, Southern Germany, 1555 – 1580)

Artist Wolfgang Großschedel (Landshut, Southern Germany, 1517 – 1562)

Date1560–1570

Mediumsteel and brass with modern leather and cordage

Dimensions50 × 18 × 14 cm (19 11/16 × 7 1/16 × 5 1/2 in.), 2 lb 13 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1139.6

Description*Vambraces are a pair, and are identical except for the presence of a threaded insert which is riveted on the left elbow sidewing outer face. The right defense is of the type used in all configurations, while the insert on the left is for Freirennen (possibly Freiturnier), Stechzeug, and Stechkueriss reinforces.

Each vambrace consists of a 2-piece, rotating cannon linked via a laminated closed cowter to a tapered tubular lower cannon of 2 hinged plates. The turner is associated to the upper cannon. The topmost parts are themselves modified as indicated (see Condition), and are fashioned of a closed ring which is riveted up along the inner side, with downcurved edges above, those on the inner side of the arm having an inward turned, file-roped edge. Riveted to the top edge outer face is a set of three curved lames overlapping upward, and articulating on brass rivets in squared, lobated terminals at the pivoted ends. The lames are further articulated on an internal pair of straps. The topmost lame is roundly arched, with a similarly turned edge that is fitted with a modern leather curved tab pierced for points. The opening for the arm, and the beveled plain basal edge are bordered with etched bands of a motif not noted previously. This consists of a repeated motif of a narrow strapwork bar connecting reversed, comma-like volutes, on a tendril filled, blackened ground, the whole framed by a narrow blackened recess band on the inner edge of the band. The bar found on the basal band is further enhanced by an additional vertical bar in the form of an uppercase I, placed perpendicularly at the center (this decoration is similar to that of G. 64 at Paris, ca. 1560, but lacks the flame edge borders of the latter; Landshuter Plattnerkunst, plt. 49 ). A modern leather loop for the transverse strap of the pauldron is found in a new hole on the inner face of the turner near its seam; the original fitting was probably a metal, [-shaped staple.

The turner overlaps, and is riveted to, a cylindrical cannon which is cut out in a deep arch at the bend of the arm, where the edge is finished in an outward plain turn. The rivets engage a pair of long, transverse slots at front and rear of the cannon, nearly encircling the arm. The posterior basal edge of cannon is cut in a curved lobe at either side, to which is riveted the couter of three lames.

The couter is closed, with symmetrical lobes on both faces, those on the inner side of the arm being somewhat smaller in size. The mainlame encircles the bend of the arm with a deep pucker, is riveted together on the interface, and is beaten out in a rounded boss at the point of the elbow. This lame overlaps and is riveted to a single, narrow curved lame above and below, themselves riveted to their respective cannons. The edges of these lames are beveled and near level.

The lower cannon tapers to the wrist opening, finished with an inward, file roped turn. This defense is of two plates, one of which is riveted to the couter lame, and has a hinged plate working on a single, centered long hinge attached to the outer face by brass rivets. The halves are locked closed by a pierced stud on the hinge plate snapping into a hole on the inner edge of the mate, where it is further secured by a brass pivot-hook that operates upwards. In order to accommodate the hinge, the edges of the halves have been cut with a trapezoidal opening that is decorated with small file cuts. At its upper edge, the hinged plate is curved deeply from pointed ends, and turned en suite to that above.

With the exception of the top half of the upper cannons, the vambraces are decorated to match each other and the other components of the first garniture. Both have the primary motif band along the inner and outer medial lines, and down the outer or rear side of the arm. The "heart and wave" motif is found at the wrist opening. The outer face of the couter side-wing, and the point of the elbow are decorated with an arabesque maze of strapwork like the pauldronns. The outer edges of the couter, and the opening at the bend of the arm have the borders found at the neck of the cuirass, top lame of the collar, etc.
ProvenanceEx-collection the duc de Noailles (France) the dealer Foury (Paris) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.) Purchased by the Armory from the estate of Clarence H. Mackay, through Jacques Seligmann & Co. (New York City) on 1 April 1940, their number A-5/115. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.

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