Breastplate
Culture
Southern German
, Nuremberg
Dateabout 1565–1570
Mediumsteel and brass with modern paint and leather
Dimensions49 × 44.5 × 20 cm (19 5/16 × 17 1/2 × 7 7/8 in.), 7 lb 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsBreastplate has a single wedge-shaped mark on the gussets, the mainplate near the right gusset at mid-height, each lame of the skirt near medial area. Also inside is a stamped upper-case "N" within a circular frame, to the left of the medial band. Outside is a single, punched dot at the top and bottom of the medial ridge exterior to mark the centerline for the armorer. Nuremberg guild-mark to the left of the upper dot.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1143.1
DescriptionOf one mainplate, without provision for a lance-rest; associated backplate deaccessed. Divided into four faceted panels by triangular-sectioned raised plain bands radiating from a broad recessed frieze at the pointed neck opening down the medial line, and from each of the armpits with flexible gussets. The latter are each fitted with a restored buckle at the top. The neck and gussets have angular, inward hollow turns that are deeply file-roped. The recessed bands extend to the waist, itself with a broad transverse plain sunken band extending from side to side. The medial ridge dips to a downturned peak just above the waist, and extends down over the skirt. This is rounded to the body, widening towards the bottom, consisting of three upwardly-overlapping lames of nearly equal depth, curving down towards mid-length.
The skirt is riveted to the integral flange at the medial line and either side. The lames are embossed "en suite", and articulate on a pair of short leathers near the slightly arched fork with edge turned as above, and sliding-rivets at the ends. The basal and side edges are straight-cut and plain, and bevelled above.
On either side of the top edge of the terminal lame are two leather straps for the tassets; they are later, as filled and/or vacant holes near these, and a rivet within each of the embossed bands indicates that a triple set of different holes were once fitted.
The periphery of the breastplate, gussets, side-and lower edge of skirt are all pierced with later holes, possibly an 18th century modification for the attachment of a lining or covering.
ProvenanceSaid to have come from the Munich Zeughaus Edmund C. Converse (Greenwich, CT) purchased through Dr. Bashford Dean on 4 January 1912. Purchased by John W. Higgins on 26 November 1927 at the Edmund C. Converse estate sale, American Art Association (NYC); lot 293. Given to the Armory on 21 March 1928. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Michel Witz the Younger
1530s
Desiderius Helmschmid
about 1552