Left Cowter
Artist
Leonhard Heinrich
and (German, active in New York, 1900–1966)
Date1928
Mediumetched and blackened steel
Dimensions20 × 15 × 19 cm (7 7/8 × 5 7/8 × 7 1/2 in.), 1 lb 4 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1147.7
DescriptionVambraces are in the German fashion, upper and lower cannon connected by the articulating leathers, with closed "bracelet" couters secured by a pierced transverse post and cotter pin (both modern). Right vambrace is composed; the upper-cannon of two associated halves rotating in an embossed and roped race is of the form belonging to a full pauldron with attached vambraces. The arched cut of the elbow cavity on the lower half of this cannon appears to have been roped at a later date. The upper half is fitted with a bent metal strip like those of the collar, here to retain the transverse spaudler straps. The associated lower cannon is of two longitudinal halves hinged on the inner face, secured on the outer by two holes (lower of which has been enlarged) snapping over pegs (replaced) on the upper and lower extremities. The inward turn at the elbow cavity has been re-roped to match, and is bordered below with a plain, single sunken border. The lower edge at the wrist is plain, inwardly turned and set off as a plain border by an incised, thin line encircling the cannon.
The left vambrace is similar to the right except that the turner lacks the scooped-out anterior edge; the couter and apparently the lower cannon are restorations.
There has been some mixup between L and R units on the arm-harness (there isn't much to go on with such objects). During object review in 2019, the restored L cowter was found to be labelled as the R cowter. The turners appear to have their mounting-hooks positioned as if they were on the wrong sides of the body.
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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