Composite Armor

Date1490–1510

Mediumsteel and leather

Dimensions171.5 cm (67 1/2 in.), 47 lb, 15 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Markings"X" within top lame, left spaudler; both spaudlers stamped with Augsburg pinecone (Stadtpyr) & badly rubbed armorer's mark (different 1 on each). Breastplate terminals at shoulders with stamped shield having 3, 6-pointed stars in relief, perhaps arms of Cilly [Zilli] family.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1153

DescriptionComposite & restored. Late Gothic form. (a) ARMET with rounded skull & low, wide comb, & deep bellows visor with rectangular breaths. (b) COLLETIN restored, and or two pivoted halves with laminations above. (c) BREASTPLATE with bluntly pointed medially ridged plackard, fauld restored, of 3 cusped lames with straps for restored rounded (d,e) TASSETS. Has been displayed with BACKPLATE HAM 2537. (f,g) CUISSES restored, shaped to thigh with 3 laminations above, topmost curving to groin, with flanged edge & recessed borders. Poleyn lames cusped at riveted ends with heart-shaped side-wing & deep cusped terminal plate below. (h,i) GREAVES shaped to leg, hinged on outside. Rearplate has narrow lamination above & below. (j,k) Pointed SABATONS. Lames overlap toward ankle, with squared terminal lame having turning-pin for lost toe-cap.(l,m)) PAULDRONS of 8 lames each, rounded at point of arm. (n,o) COUTERS restored, shell-shape, roundly bossed for elbow, with distinct pucker at bend of arm, & having flanged border. Upper cannons of open form with cylindrical extensions. Lower cannons (not pair) of tapering tubular form with hinge on outer face & hole-and-peg on inner.(p,q) VAMBRACES are two-pieced hinged form (r,s) Mitten GAUNTLETS with slightly flared hinged cuffs, thumb defense & plates embossed for fingers.

The backplate that is used with this suit is #2537 (Europe, 19th-E. 20th century).
ProvenanceE. Barry (as of 1905) Sir Guy F. Laking purchased in 1907 by Clarence Mackay collection (his #2, #A-38 in Gimbel sale); not in "Record of Armor Sales." Purchased by Museum from Hammer Galleries, Gimbel Brothers (NYC) on June 1, 1942. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014. (Helmet) ex church in Norfolk or Suffolk; Walter Withall. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

On View

Not on view