Gorget from an almain collar

Artist Stefan Rormoser (Austrian, active 1554–1565)

Date1554–1556

Mediumsteel and brass with leather

Dimensions15 × 32 × 25 cm (5 7/8 × 12 5/8 × 9 13/16 in.), 2 lb 1 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsFrontplate of gorget with "Bindenschild" and "SR" mark (initials of Stefan Rormoser of Innsbruck).

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1169.1

DescriptionThis was once part of an "almain collar" with laminated spaudlers of two polished steel mainplates front and rear, pivoted on a rivet at the top of the left shoulder and the keyhole slot of the front half overlapping and locking over a domed stud on the right. There is a set of two curved narrow lames at the neck, which are articulated on three intervals restored leathers each front and rear. The top lame is hinged at the left side and closes over a peg on the right (now hammered over), with an inwardly turned, file-roped strong edge at the top. At the center and to either side of the medial line the top lame has a small, punched decorative dot. There is a low medial ridge that extends from this the full length of the defense. The front mainplate curves up over the tops of the shoulders and has a blunt joint at the bottom of the ridge. The rearplate is curved to the back, without ridge, and rises high over the base of the neck, and well over the tops of the shoulders, extending straight across its lower edge to squared corners. Except as noted above, all edges are plain and unturned. There are holes for spaulder leathers, and a restored set of pauldrons straps with brass rosettes. The frontplate is stamped with a small "Prindenschild" above the right lower edge, and the letters "SR" on either side of the medial ridge. Stefan Rormoser was preparing armors for "Fussknechten" during the years 1554-56, and later (1563-65) worked with others in the "Zenghaus" of Innsbruck. Our collar was probably one of the former armors and thus is dated c. 1554-56.
ProvenanceHerr A. Ullmann (Munich, Germany) Julius Böhler (Munich) William Randolph Hearst (California and Wales; his 1047-180) Purchased by the Armory on 14 December 1942 from Gimbel Brothers (NYC). Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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