Breastplate

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

Terms

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.

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