Elements of an Armor

ca. 1480–90

Not on view

Few complete armors have survived from the fifteenth century, making this one important despite its fragmentary condition. It was reportedly found in an Austrian church. The pieces were probably assembled in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century as a pious gift to be hung over the tomb of a knight. All the elements are characteristic of armor worn in central Europe and parts of western Europe in the late Gothic period. These include the separate head and neck defenses consisting of sallet and bevor, breastplate and backplate of overlapping sections, and cusped and channeled surfaces. The backplate is notable for its elegant silhouette and its fluting that imitates gathered folds of fabric.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Elements of an Armor
Date: ca. 1480–90
Culture: German or Austrian
Medium: Steel
Dimensions: H. as mounted 35 in. (88.9 cm); Wt. 23 lb. 3 oz. (10.55 kg)
Classification: Armor for Man
Credit Line: Gift of George D. Pratt, 1926
Object Number: 26.92.2a–g
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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