Lames of a Left Tasset

Datepossibly 1600–1620, altered about 1640

Mediumiron and brass

Dimensions25.4 × 22.9 × 3.8 cm (10 × 9 × 1 1/2 in.), 1 lb 6.5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.941

DescriptionFour lames of a left (?) tasset of a pikeman's armor, expanding slightly to the bottom, and overlapping upwards. They are rigidly riveted to one another with three modern round-headed brass rivets in each case. The lowest three lames are of equal width. The second from bottom lame lacks its inner end. The upper lame is considerably higher on the outside (?) than the inside (?). The surface has been heavily ground down.

Attached to its upper edge by three rivets in each instance, are a pair of hinges with slighly bifurcated lower ends, and having a horizontal slot and a swivel-hook to engage a pair of pierced studs on the skirt, at their upper ends. The upper edge of the top lame is cut with a rectangular notch to receive each hinge. The overall outline of this edge is also irregular.

The lower edge of the surviving sequence of lames would have been completed by at least one more lame. The inner (?) edges of the lames have plain inward turns accompanied by a broad, roughly sunken border. The outer edges of the lames are hollowed and accompanied by a matching sunken border. The sunken borders appear to have been partly hammered out. The edges of the plates are pierced with holes for the linings.
ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on September 28, 1929 from estate of Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY), odd lot #3. Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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