Left Gauntlet
Culture
German
Dateabout 1540, with modern restorations
MediumEtched and blackened steel and leather
Dimensions35 × 13 cm (13 3/4 × 5 1/8 in.), 1 lb 4 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Markings7 punched dots on cuff.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1147.11
DescriptionThese are associated to other components. Only the right gauntlet and cuff of the left are genuine. Both are of mitten form, with sharply pointed, long flared cuffs with medial ridge, hinged at the outer side and secured by a hole snapping over a peg on the inner. The metacarpal defense is of five upward-lapping lames, each with a small "v"-shaped nick in the edge of the medial area. The linkage to the phalangeal plates is provided by a transversely raised, roped boxed lame. The five downward-overlapping phalangeal lames are longitudinally embossed for the fingers, and finish in a terminal lame cut in rounded scallops each with a modern nick. A hinged thumb of three scales and a main-plate is fixed to the left gauntlet. The mainplate of the right gauntlet survives, but is broken at the hinge. The edges of the right cuff only are rolled over a wire and roped; that of the inner cuff is inwardly turned and plain on both. There is also a transverse buckle-and-strap (both straps and the right buckle are restorations). Rivets are dome-headed with thin, irregular washers. The cuff plates are decorated with a triple, sunken border, the outermost with a running vine motif, recurved frms, a putto, cow's head, all on a blackened granular ground. There is also a blackened plain band and a pelleted one. All are of deep, ogival form at the medial ridge. The tapering band following this is bordered with a thin etched line on each side, and filled by an elongated male nude amidst running, swirled foliate decoration on a granular ground. This band flares out over the metacarpal lames. The faces of the transverse boxing are bordered with a pelleted line. Phalangeal lames have a transverse repeated single-helix motif along the leading edge. The rounded tips at terminal lames have a circular floral motif. Other restorations include the rivets on the lower two phalangeal lames of the right gauntlet and those of the transverse strap below the thumb; the thumb hinge and rivet (in a modern hole) of the right; those rivets at the strap near the cuff; the pin of the cuff hinge.
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.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Desiderius Helmschmid
about 1552
