Backplate
Culture
European
Date1800s, using some old components
Mediumsteel and brass with leather
Dimensions40 × 37 × 16 cm (15 3/4 × 14 9/16 × 6 5/16 in.), 4 lb 5 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.806.4
DescriptionRestored, with associated old waistplate and culet, embossed later. This consists of a broad-shouldered upper plate bearing a fluted decoration at the small of the back; a waist-plate attached to it by domed brass rivets, and four hip-lames riveted to the waist-plate and to each other, again with domed brass rivets. At the shoulders and waist are buckles and straps to secure the breastplate, secured with brass rosette-rivets matching those of the helmet. The upper plate is fairly well formed at the shoulders, but the surface is dimpled at the flanks, suggesting rework, presumably to fit the narrow-waisted breastplate. The fluted decoration at the small of the back is rather cursory. Adjoining the current rivets for the waistplate are irregular slots that may once have served articulate the piece. There is clear evidence of cropping in the area of the flanks. Overall, this component looks to be an original piece, but doctored to suit this armor.
The waistplate looks to be old metal reworked for its present purpose. There are irregularly distributed holes left over from prior functions.
The four skirt lames could be old metal, but have been reworked. They are decorated with cursory fluting. The top skirt lame has evidently been cut at some point, as the bottom edge runs through a series of regular rivet holes.
Backplate with loin-guard. Restored backplate, style of 1510-20. Of one plate, with plain borders rolled in at armpit, outwardly at neck. Medial basal area embossed en suite with cuisses and colletin. Basal edge fitted with flange (inverted), itself fitted with securing straps and loin-guard of four lames, the topmost of which is probably associated, all later embossed en suite. Lower lame with inwardly-embossed plate edge, simple sunken border. Loin-guard bears traces of modern gloss black paint.
ProvenanceFranz Thill Collection, Vienna (gorget and breastplate, to 1905) S. J. Whawell Frank Gair Macomber, Boston. Helmet: John Long Severance purchase for the Cleveland Museum of Art, exchanged with Bashford Dean (#16) for equestrian armor. Dean acquired the gorget and breastplate from Macomber, having already borrowed and displayed them with the helmet in Metropolitan Museum of Art's 1911 catalogue, #39, pl. XXV). Dean is responsible for the full composed suit, adding his helmet, pauldrons, and Marchat restorations in 1912. Clarence H. Mackay (#A.49-until (?) 1941) Kende Galleries at Gimbel Bros. (1941). Purchased by the Armory on 26 December 1941, from Gimbel Bros./Hammer Galleries (NYC) as suit A-49 of the Mackay estate. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Desiderius Helmschmid
about 1552
