Right Gauntlet

Culture European

Dateabout 1510

Mediumsteel, iron and brass with leather

Dimensions21 × 8 cm (8 1/4 × 3 1/8 in.), 5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.806.16

DescriptionOf the type rotating on the vambrace.

These are crudely executed, at least in part of reworked old components, with a cuff, four metacarpal plates, a hinged thumb-plate (left gauntlet only; the right one has only the fragmentary hinge), and fine riveted mail riveted to the last metacarpal plate to cover the fingers, with some remnants of leather lining remaining. The lames on the right gauntlet are somewhat more regular and better articulated; this may actually have been part of a gauntlet at some time. The left gauntlet lames on the other hand are extremely crude and poorly articulated, and are probably reworked old plates cobbled together. Right as left, except with more visible traces of etched design. Terminal metacarpal lame re-worked and associated with other lames.

Lines visible in the metacarpals. R cuff has traces of etching on both plates, and very slightly on metacarpals.
ProvenanceFranz Thill Collection, Vienna (gorget and breastplate, to 1905) S. J. Whawell Frank Gair Macomber, Boston. Helmet: John Long Severance purchase for the Cleveland Museum of Art, exchanged with Bashford Dean (#16) for equestrian armor. Dean acquired the gorget and breastplate from Macomber, having already borrowed and displayed them with the helmet in Metropolitan Museum of Art's 1911 catalogue, #39, pl. XXV). Dean is responsible for the full composed suit, adding his helmet, pauldrons, and Marchat restorations in 1912. Clarence H. Mackay (#A.49-until (?) 1941) Kende Galleries at Gimbel Bros. (1941). Purchased by the Armory on 26 December 1941, from Gimbel Bros./Hammer Galleries (NYC) as suit A-49 of the Mackay estate. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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