For the joust, or tilt, in the Italian fashion, the grandguard protecting the upper left chest and neck was close-fitting in contrast to the German use of a projecting tilt targe (cape-like defense for the left shoulder) screwed directly to the breastplate. The etched decoration, consisting of lush foliate scrolls and dragons on a recessed black ground, is characteristic of Innsbruck armors of the period.
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Artwork Details
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Title:Reinforcing Plates of Armor for the Tilt
Date:dated 1551
Geography:Innsbruck
Culture:Austrian, Innsbruck
Medium:Steel
Dimensions:grandguard (21.138.2): L. 12 3/4 in. (32.39 cm); W. 14 1/8 in. (35.86 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 4 oz. (1928 g); tilting buffe (21.138.3): L. 15 in. (38.1 cm); W. 9 3/4 in. (24.77 cm); Wt. 4 lb.11 oz. (2126 g); elbow guard (21.138.4): L. 10 3/4 in. (27.31 cm); W. 7 7/8 in. (19.99 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 13 oz. (1276 g); bridle gauntlet (21.138.5): L. 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm); W. 8 1/4 in. (21.0 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 10 oz. (737.1 g)
Classification:Armor Parts
Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1921
Accession Number:21.138.2–.5
Inscription: Within a cartouche on the lower part of the buffe, the date: 1551.
[Samuel Pratt, London, until 1841; The Magnificent and Unparalleld Collection of Ancient Armour and Arms, celebrated as the Gothic Armoury, Oxenham’s, London, April, 29–May 1, 1841, no. 68]; John Beardmore, Uplands, Fareham, Hampshire, England (by 1844); Morgan Williams, St. Donat's Castle, Llantwit Major, Wales (until d. 1910; his estate sale, The Collection of Arms & Armour . . . formed by Morgan S. Williams, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, April 26–28, 1921, no. 64, sold to MMA).
Hagerstown, Md. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. "Loan Exhibition of Medieval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art," February 27–March 31, 1955, no. 17.
Newark. Newark Museum Association. "Loan Exhibition of Medieval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art," May 15–September 15, 1955, no. 17.
Oxenham & Sons. Ancient Armour and Arms, Celebrated As the Gothic Armoury, Cap-a-Pie Suits of Knights' Armour, Engraved Tilting Suits, Indian Armour and Arms, Together with the Remainder of the Paraphernalia of the Grand Tournment at Eglinton. London: Oxenham & Sons, April 29–May 1, 1841. no. 68, ill.
Beardmore, John. A Catalogue with Illustrations of the Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, at Uplands, Near Fareham, Hampshire. London: Printed by T. and W. Boone, 1845. no. 51, pl. 3.
Christie, Manson & Woods. Collection of Arms & Armour. London: Christie, Manson & Woods, April 26–28, 1921. no. 64.
Cripps-Day, Francis Henry. A Record of Armour Sales, 1881–1924. London: G. Bell and Sons, 1925. p. XLIX, fig. o.
Grancsay, Stephen V., The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Loan Exhibition of Medieval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hagerstown, Md.: Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, February 27–March 31, 1955. p. 9, no. 17, ill.
Boccia, Lionello G. Il Museo Stibbert a Firenze: L'Ameria Europea. Gallerie e musei minori di Firenze, Vol. 3, pt. 2. Milan: Electa, 1975. pl. 124b (grand guard possibly belonging to these armor elements).
Boccia, Lionello G. Il Museo Stibbert a Firenze: L'Ameria Europea. Gallerie e musei minori di Firenze, Vol. 3, pt. 1. Milan: Electa, 1975. p. 81, no. 131 (grand guard possibly belonging to these armor elements).
Hans Maystetter (Austrian, Innsbruck, documented 1508–33)
ca. 1510
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