Left Greave and Sabaton

Culture Southern German , Augsburg

Datemid-1500s, with modern restorations

Mediumetched and blackened steel with gilding

Dimensions49 × 10 × 29 cm (19 5/16 × 3 15/16 × 11 7/16 in.), 2 lb, 12 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1155.11

DescriptionWhile they are not a pair, the greaves are selected for display as a set, and are therefore quite similar in their design and form. The left is restored from the ankle down, and has a large patch on the inside at mid-shin.

Each is of two hinged halves shaped to the lower leg and embossed for the ankle bone. Both halves extend to the ground at the sides and rear, and are formed with a full-length medial ridge on both plates. The rear plate upper edge is outwardly turned and plain on the defense of the left and inwardly turned and engrailed on the right. The unturned edge on the front plates is fitted with a set of turning-pins (one stud replaces the inner pin on the left defense) in order to attach to the poleyns. The basal end of the rearplates curves out over the rear of the heel, and is finished in a straight, turned edge, without provision for a spur. The greaves are secured closed by non-adjustable holes on the frontplate rear inner edge which snaps over short pegs on the rearplate. There is a set of hinges mounted above and below on the outer face.

Below, the frontplate terminates in a high arch which is lobated at its basal edge. To these lobes is attached a sabaton of eight riveted lames plus toe-cap. The foot defense consists of three narrow curved lames above and four below overlapping towards a deep central plate. The squarish toe-cap is of moderate width, and is slightly pinched in at its anterior sides. Extending around its hollow-flanged, recessed and decorated lower edge is a row of empty holes, once securing rivets and possibly some form of lining.

Each greave is decorated along the medial line with a broad, etched gilded and blackened band. The left greave (only the portion of the leg to the ankle repair) is decorated en suite with the breastplate and upper leg harness. Below this, on the restored ankle and sabaton it is etched to match the decoration of the right greave. Down either side edge is an etched gilded black framing. The base of both greaves, and the upper edge of the right rearplate, as well as that of the sabatons have gilded, undulating foliate tendrils on a plain ground, within the same blackened framing. These candelabra, with an occasional elliptical or circular swelling also frame the medial bands of the right greave; those of the sabaton are within recessed bands. The decorative motives of the medial bands of the right greave consist of separated addorsed intertwined gilded twisted knot designs with trefoil leaved terminals themselves bifurcated at the addorsed voluted ends. All of this decoration is stippled and gilded, on a blackened stippled ground.
Provenance[Excluding helmet]: Mr. Henry (Paris, pre 1886, then joined gauntlets to harness without helmet) Mr. Barré (Paris?, 1886-?) Chevalier Raoul Richards (Rome, to 1890) Victor R. Bachereau (Paris; seems to have brought helmet/armor together) George Jay Gould (NYC; part of armor) Duveen Brothers (NYC) Purchased with armour by John W. Higgins on 18 January 1928 from Duveen Brothers (their no. C3177G); Given to Armory on 21 March 1928. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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