Breastplate
Culture
Northern German
, perhaps Saxony
Date1555–1560
MediumEtched and blackened steel
Dimensions47.3 × 43.8 × 22.4 cm (18 5/8 × 17 1/4 × 8 13/16 in.), 14 lb 9 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsPair of vertical chisel-marks to right of center on inner edges of breast- and backplate turned edges.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Terms
Object number2014.1147.3
DescriptionOf heavy steel. Breastplate is of the form associated with the "Wedding Armour" series. It has a straight upper edge, boxed inwardly turned and roped with chisel marks, with a raised single moulding at the center. Centered at the chest below is a fixed squared staple, transversely pierced for the attachment of a reinforcing bevor, such as those in the von Kienbusch colloection (1977-167-211, ex-119; Wallace Collection A.195, A196; Lincoln Museum #15 p. 20; MMA 29.158.9; Odescalchi #245). Below this is a medial ridge which begins near the center of the chest, extending to the waist, and drawn to a defined peak at a point two-thirds of its length. Flexible gussets, with their edges formed as that of the breast; the right, while old, seems to be later. In place of the buckle once fitted there is now a pair of modern hinged steel straps with terminals pierced with a row of three adjusting holes each. Another similarly-fashioned set of restored hasps is mounted at the rear sides of the breastplate. The integral basal flange is fitted with a riveted, single-lame restored fauld rounded outward and downward toward the crotch, with the lower edge cusped vertically at the medial point. The inwardly turned edge is roped in imitation of the right couter. The original fauld appears to have been of multiple laminations bearing traces of leathers at the medial point of the flange.
The decoration of the breast is in typical "Brunswick" fashion with an ogival fringe across the top depicting hares driven into a net by a trio of hounds and a spear-armed hunter blowing a horn, the whole within a forested-and foliate-decorated scene on a blackened, granular ground. Similar motifs are present on the gussets. The lower border of the fringe is of two sunken bands, the inner plain and blackened, the outer blackened and pelleted, both boldly cusped at the center, towards the waist. Down the center, and from either armpit are tapering etched bands with geometric forms, folation, vegetation, birds, nude human forms (some elongated, with truncated limbs), grotesques, mothers with swaddled babes, and drapery. The pelleted borders follow the waistline and armpits. The fauld is etched in imitation of the breast decoration, but with an obvious lack of imagination.
In the blank voids on the upper part of the breast is an etched pair of quatrefoil-formed emblems. The one on the right is an apparently post-contemporary device of Johann Georg von Brandenburg (d. 1598; became Kurfurst, 1571; see hardcopy file; these arms should be compared to those shown in plate 92 of Louda). Etched within the quatrefoil frame is Johann's Latin motto "IVSTE. ET.CLEMENTER" ("Justly and mildly"); the whole on a blackened, granular ground.
On the opposite side, at the same level is a like medallion, with the encircling motto "ACH.GOTT.BEWARE.NICHT.MEHR.DAN.LEIB.SELE.GVT.VND.EHR" ("Oh God, preserve no more than body, soul, property and honor"). Variations on this motto, associated with Herzog Julius of Branuschweig-Wolfenbuttel, are found on many of the "wedding" armors extant; the closest parallel to ours is that on the full harness 1977-167-23 (ex.-#13) in the von Kienbusch collection. The main device is a representation of Daniel in the Lion's den, kneeling in prayer and being brought sustenance by an angel and a third figure (Habbakuk?). Below the emblem is the "wedding device" (appears to be by another hand) of two pair of lover's clasped hands between which is a crowned heart, the whole flanked by the letters "H" and "I" (for Hedwig and Julius)
ProvenanceSaid to be from the Dresden Museum and Erich Haenel of Dresden Galleries ex-collection of Dr. Bashford Dean (his #11) purchased by John Higgins on 28 September 1929. Given to the Armory on 15 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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