Composite "Black-and-White" Half Armor

Culture Northern German , perhaps Württemberg

Datelate 1500s–early 1600s

Mediumpainted steel and iron with modern leather

Dimensions24 lb, 2 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsTerminal lame of fauld has a re-struck, single "antler" mark of Wurttemberg to left of fork on inner face; another antler on lowest (6th ) lame of both tassets; right inside of breast with black-painted letters "VK" (?) ; "V"-shaped nicks and serial dots throughout.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1144

Description(Also see individual records) Steel with blackening. Open BURGONET of 2 halves with sides of medium-height comb embossed in "wave" motif, with large lily embossed on sides of skull. "ALMAIN COLLAR" of 2 plates with laminated spaudlers, these having wave motif borders and raised bright bands & roped edges. Collar is extensively re-worked. Long bellied BREASTPLATE with defined medial ridge that is dipped above waist, & with divergent bright, raised bands. Two-lame FAULD. "Wave" motif in frieze below neck & at gussets, and outer edges of fauld. Laminated oblong TASSETS of 6 lames each, now held by buckles & straps, but probably originally riveted to the fauld. Boxy associated BACKPLATE decorated later, with associated culet lame, and having edges inwardly turned & plain.
Label TextPaint was often used to decorate armor; like blueing, it had the additional benefit of providing protection against rust. The black-and-white style was characteristic of northern Germany, and common for ordinary armors. This suit would have been worn by a heavy infantryman armed with a pike or other staff weapon.Provenance(Possibly) ex-S.J. Whawell Collection, lot 382 (p. 67) 5 May 1927 sale at Sotheby's Theodore Offerman (of New York Galleries) Purchased by John W. Higgins on 27 September 1927 from Theodore Offerman. Given to the Higgins Armory Museum on 15 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.

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