Breastplate with Tassets

Culture Southern German

Date1510–1525

Mediumsteel and leather

DimensionsMeasurements with Tassets: 69 × 38 × 17 cm (27 3/16 × 14 15/16 × 6 11/16 in.), 8 lb 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1169.2

DescriptionThis is in the South German style for foot service from the first quarter of the 16th century. The authentic breastplate is rounded on its lower half, with a very slightly depressed repaired opening at the neck that has an angular, outwardly flanged inward plain turn. The openings at the arms are deeply curved and fitted with broad, flexible gussets with buckles at the squared upper terminals. The breastplate is straight-cut at the lower edge and to this is riveted a deep waistplate on the basal flange of which is riveted a deep hooped skirt of three lames overlapping upward. There is a near-level arched turn at the fork on the basal lame. Each lame is of uniform depth over its length from the straight sides which have slightly hollow-flanged, plain turns.

Riveted to the bottom lame is a pair of oblong tassets of similar construction curving inwardly slightly along the inner edge to the fork, with a near-level, inward plain turn along the bottom lame. Each tasset works on an internal set of restored leathers on the inner edge and medial line.

While the defense is handmade, and the metal appears old (except perhaps for one or two lames), there is a curious feeling about it. The left gusset and buckle are apparently restorations. The waistlame and skirt may belong together, but the rivets have been re-used, with new circular washers. The topmost lame of the left tasset is a later replacement. The tassets are associated to the skirt. They are of earlier date than the breastplate (about 1510) and are partly composite.
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.

On View

Not on view

Collections