Left Spaudler (Pauldron)
Culture
Swiss
, perhaps Solothurn
Datelate 16th–early 17th century
Mediumsteel and leather
DimensionsMeasurement with Arm Defense: 57 × 8 cm (22 7/16 × 3 1/8 in.), 3 lb (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsSolothurn (?) arsenal-mark on uppermost lame of both spaudlers. Dots as on tassets appear on the skirt and vambrace lames as well. The grid-like mark (portcullis?) found on the collar's frontplate, and atop the vambraces is possibly the control mark of Solothurn. See photo in digital file.
Inner edges of left vambrace lames have single nicks, as well as right pauldron.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1152.5
DescriptionProbably Swiss, late 16th century, early 17th. Spaudler pauldrons, of broader, shell – like form, the central lame curved out over breast and back plates. Spaudlers of four lames each, one above and two below the central lame with inwardly turned (over a wire core) and file-roped edge, with single, plain sunken border. A like border is found on the top lame which is pivoted at the sides. The upper edge is curved, and the border pierced with the topmost of a vertical pair of holes for the spring loaded posts of the collar. A medial ridge runs full-length down the spaudler and both vambrace cannons. The two lames below the central lame overlap downwards, and work on anterior and central leathers and sliding rivets at the posterior edge. The lower lame is attached to the upper cannon of the vambrace, which is of two rotating halves, turning in an embossed and roped race. The vambrace halves at the bend of the elbow are outwardly turned and plain.
The upper and lower cannons are made in the Italian fashion, connected to a couter of three lames, and each above and below a central lame with heart shaped side-wing extending to the inner bend of the arm. The edges of the side-wings are inwardly turned over a wire core and roped, in turn edged with a plain sunken band border.
To the lower lame of the couter is riveted a cannon of two hinged halves, secured on the outer face by a hole snapping over a peg. The cuff edges are turned and file-marked en suite, with a sunken border as above.
Cf. similar defenses in Vitale, pp. 128, 129, 145; Schneider, #21.
ProvenanceSir Guy F. Laking (England - pre-1907) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.) Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. Bought by the Armory from the estate of Clarence Mackay through Jacques Seligman and Co., Inc. (NYC) on 9 November 1940 (their A-48) Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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