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Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Composite Half-Armor associated with the Foot Tourneys of Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

Composite Half-Armor associated with the Foot Tourneys of Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Culture
Date1540–1560
MediumEtched and blackened steel, iron and modern leather with modern restorations
Dimensions44 lb, 13 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1147
Description(a) Close-helmet, steel. One-piece skull with medium, plain comb. Tubular, incised plume-holder. Comb & sides of skull etched with modern bands of foliate tendrils, hunting dogs & quarry, snails & grotesque figures. Bevor associated & later etched. Visor associated, with slightly outwardly flaring step below divided sights. (b) Almain- with spaudler-type pauldrons. Associated neck defense of 3 lames front & rear. (c) Breastplate: form associated with "Wedding Armors" series. Straight upper edge, boxed, inwardly turned & roped with chisel marks. Medial ridge from mid-height to waist. Single lame restored fauld. (d) Backplate: boxed, embossed at shoulder-blades, & fitted with restored single-lame culet. (e,f, g, h) Vambraces: German fashion, cannons connected by leathers, (I, j) closed "bracelet" cowters of earlier date. (k, l) Gauntlets: mitten form, with sharply pointed, long flared cuffs with medial ridge.

Preliminary findings by Dr. Alan Williams (Cambridge University, UK) of metallurgy of Higgins Armory Museum items, based on tests conducted in the Fall of 1998, with comments provided on 23 February 1999: Irons. A sample was detached from the rim of the bevor at the front. The microstructure consists of ferrite and slag only.

Surface has been acid-cleaned at some point.
Label TextThis half armor is from the group associated with a foot tourneys held following the wedding of Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Hedwig of Brandenburg at Berlin on February 25, 1560. In anticipation of the games, Julius commissioned about a dozen virtually identical armors for himself and his guests. Some of the armors were newly made, but others such as this, were drawn from available stock and refurbished. On the right of the breastplate (as viewed) is an etched medallion showing Daniel in the lions' den. Surrounding it is the ducal motto, translated as "O God, preserve no more than body, soul, goodness, and honor." Below the emblem is the device of the royal lovers: two pairs of clasped hands on either side of a crowned heart, the whole flanked by the letters H (for Hedwig) and I (for Julius). On the opposite face of the breastplate is a similar medallion with the arms of Hedwig's half-brother, Johann Georg von Brandenburg. This is framed by his Latin motto, translated as "Justly and mildly." Because this medallion was etched by a different hand, the breastplate was probably a piece taken from Julius's arsenal and decorated specifically for the use of his new brother-in-law.ProvenanceSaid to be from the Dresden Museum and Erich Haenel of Dresden Galleries 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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