Pikeman's Backplate

Dateearly 1600s

Mediumsteel with modern leather

Dimensions35 × 36 × 15 cm (13 3/4 × 14 3/16 × 5 7/8 in.), 2 lb 13 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsBackplate has crowned cypher of James II deeply stamped at neck. On this mark see Richardson 2004: 19; it was a retroactive mark added to pieces in the royal arsenal. See photo in digital file.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1167.3

DescriptionThis is associated to the other components. It is also English. It is of one-piece, light construction. It is rounded, of waist-length, and is beaten up over the tops of the shoulders with no specific form provided for the shoulder-blades below.

The neck opening is shallow and level, while those at the arms are deep and curve well to the rear. All are finished with plain, inward turns over wire cores.

The shoulder terminals are squared, and are fitted with modern straps reinforced with six oblong plates each. The sides curve well around under the arms, with unturned, straight edges. Near these, the waist is fitted with a modern, buckled strap at the extremities.

The basal part of the backplate is drawn out as an unpierced, curved flange with turned edge, of uniform narrow depth over its width.

The backplate is undecorated.
ProvenanceEarl of Eglinton (Ayrshire, Scotland) Cyril Andrade (London) probably his no. 16 Theodore Offerman of York Galleries, NYC Purchased by John W. Higgins from Theodore Offerman (York Galleries, NYC) on 27 September 1927. Given to the Armory on 15 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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