Right Greave

Culture European

Dateabout 1500 (rearplate modern)

Mediumsteel with modern leather

Dimensions38 × 11.5 × 10.5 cm (14 15/16 × 4 1/2 × 4 1/8 in.), 1 lb 12 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Markingsfrontplate has a transverse pair of punched dots just above arch at medial area.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.842.8

DescriptionGreaves are of the closed form, of two plates shaped to the lower leg and hinged on the outer face, secured with a pair of buckles and straps on the inner face. Both front and rear plates are ogivally arched over the foot, and have a full-length medial ridge. Near the upper edge of both rearplates is a longitudinally-fixed, boxed staple for the transverse strap from terminal lame of the poleyn. The upper edges of the rearplates, and the basal edge of both lames are finished with an outwardly-turned flange. The frontplates are slightly embossed on their inner face for the ankle bone.

The right frontplate, which seems to be old, but of a later date than the rearplate of the left, has a transverse pair of punched dots at the medial line just above the arch of the foot.

The left greave is original, but associated to the poleyns and cuisses.

All of the buckles and hinges are modern replacements. The greave, which would have been worn with mail sabatons, was secured on the inner face by a strap and by a hole snapping over a peg mounted at the basal edge; this last has been lost and is weld-repaired.

Contrary to earlier information, there are no armorer's marks presently discernable.
Provenance(possibly) the fortress at Chalcis Historical and Ethnological (Now National Historical) Museum at Athens Dean (with Hugel restorations) Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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