Composite Armor

Dateabout 1360–1929

Mediumsteel, iron and brass with modern leather, cord and restorations

Dimensions54 lb, 5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsNear center of upper edge of breastplate stamped the Nuremberg Beschau. Backplate punched with groups of 3 isosceles triangles: 1 group in near-vertical line, centered on right sideplate, & another group in an inverted, angled "L" shape to right of center at backplate lower edge. Main right cuisse plate is stamped inner right lower edge "MADE BY/ L HUGEL/1925." (Leonhard Hugel worked for Dr. Dean from May, 1923 until the latter's death in 1928.) Left splint spaudler marked with 4 "V"-shaped nicks along leading edge, & lame below with possibly 3 on inner edge at medial line, partially obscured by internal leather. Upper cannon of vambrace of same defense has 2 nicks at same point of its upper edge. Right frontplate of greave has transverse pair of punched dots just above arch at medial area.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.842

DescriptionComposite, highly restored pastiche of steel, iron, leather. Loosely in style of the first half of the 15th c. (a.1-3) Egg-shaped BASINET with associated "pig-faced" 'Klappvisier' & reshaped mail as aventail. (b) Shallow, globose 'Knechtbrust' BREASTPLATE of about 1500-10 with Nuremberg mark below slightly curved neck; no waistlame. (c) 3-plate BACKPLATE, rather boxish, with unturned basal edge. Hoop-like, partly restored fauld of 4 lames held at sides by pegs & straps. (e,f) Modern trapezoidal 2 plate TASSETS on buckled leathers.(g,h) Skirt. (i,j) Circular, pointed modern BESAGEWS. (k,l) Pointed laminated SABATONS, largely modern, each of 7 lames. (m,n) Closed GREAVES, shaped to leg, curving down over ankles; only right front & left rearplates are old; right front is European, 1st half 16c, left rear is North Italian, 15c (before 1470; ex-Chalcis). (o,p) CUISSES extensively restored. Mainplate with laminated extension plates above & hinged sideplates; associated POLEYNS with large, kidney-shaped sidewings. (q,r) Gutter-like 'almain-rivett' ARM DEFENSES with spaudler-like PAULDRONS, vambrace plates, shell-shaped cowter & sliding mitten-shaped laminations (some modern) over back of hand, all elements on leathers. (d) Long-sleeved MAIL SHIRT of large, riveted iron rings, opening down front.
ProvenanceThe armor was assembled by Dr. Bashford Dean, apparently sometime between 1906 (when he acquired much material from the Baron Vidal de Léry collection in Paris) and late 1910/early 1911 (as the armor was displayed as catalogue #1 in the 1911 loan exhibition of arms and armor at the Metropolitan). The items come from a variety of collections. The left greave rearplate is from Chalcis; (see datasheet in vault files for more detail.) Purchased by John Higgins from the estate of Dean (Riverdale, NY), the executor's #42, on 28 August 1929. Given to the Armory on 26 December 1947. Basnet skull: ex collection Dean. James Mann (23 November 1948) stated that the helmet was from a London sale but gave no date or owner. See however, the visor reference below. Aventail: ex Dean Visor: Lucerne Zeughaus; Richard Zschille; Edward Barry (?); Guy F. Laking; Dean Breastplate: Freiherr von Freyberg, Schloss Hohenaschau; J. H. Hefner-Alteneck (1850s?); Dean Backplate, skirt, tassets: Dean, with restorations by Leonhard Hugel Arms defenses: Baron Vidal de Léry (pre-1906); Dean Cuisses with poleyns: (possibly) fortress at Chalcis; Historical and Ethnological Museum, Athens; Dean (with Hugel restorations) Greaves: as cuisses. Sabatons: Dean (with Hugel restorations) Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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