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Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Fauld (breastplate skirt) from a child's ceremonial armor
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

Fauld (breastplate skirt) from a child's ceremonial armor

Artist (Southern German, Augsburg)
Dateabout 1620
Mediumblued and gilded steel
DimensionsMeasurements for fauld: 18 × 36.8 × 12 cm (7 1/16 × 14 1/2 × 4 3/4 in.), 12 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsSmall, punched dot at lower edge medial line. This dot, per Donald LaRocca of the von Kienbusch Collection, is also formed on their breastplate, similarly placed on the flange and near the upper edge of the neck.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.926.1
DescriptionThree lamed detachable skirt, the steel plates of which were once blued. The lames are shaped convex to the body, deeply dipping to the fork, narrow at the medial point, the lames soon broaden to a uniform width over the hips.

The outer edges of all plates, and the lower edge of the basal lame, are finished with an inward plain turn without a wire core. That of the basal lame is addtionally bordered with a narrow, deep sunken band of triangular section.

The lames work on two leathers (now lost) near the fork, and sliding rivets at the outer terminals. The topmost lame is pierced with a keyhole slot at the left and an oblong slot at the right, above the sliding rivets. Each lame is additionally fitted with decorative domed rivets at the upper edge of the terminals. The basal lame has a row of 11 flush rivets (one lost) above the sunken band once securing the now-lost lining and retaining rivets. On the same lame, below the sliding rivets, are large dome-headed rivets that engage the keyhole slots of the pendant tassets, and to either side of the fork is a turning pin for the oblong slots of the same.

Steel, once blued, with traces of painted gold decoration. 3 upwardly overlapping lames dipping to the fork, working on sliding rivets & (formerly) a pair of leathers. Outer & basal edges are inwardly turned & plain. Topmost lame pierced with oblong & keyhole-shaped slot for fittings of breastplate flange. Lower edges retain turning pins & domed studs for tassets. Decorative domed rivets at ends, & row of flush rivets for lining-band, following recessed band along basal edge of terminal lame. Lames have traces of blueing & gold decoration of trophies & undulating ribbons within framing lines.
ProvenancePossibly in the collection of Sir Guy Laking prior to Dean. Purchased by John W. Higgins on September 28, 1929 from estate of Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY). Given to the Museum on December 26, 1946. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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