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Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania

Armorer Kunz Lochner German
ca. 1555; probably repainted and eye guards restored later
Not on view
This shaffron is part of an important garniture of armor for field and tournament use made for Nikolaus "the Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, prince of the empire, and grand chancellor and marshall of Lithuania––one of the wealthiest and most important nobles in Poland and Lithuania. Several elements of the garniture survive, six of which (including this one) are preserved in the Metropolitan Museum's collection. Made by the distinguished Nuremberg armorer Kunz (Konrad) Lochner, the Radziwill armor, with its overall etched design of interlaced strapwork and brilliant polychromy, is one of the most distinctive and colorful examples of the sixteenth century. (The right eye guard and portions of the left are modern restorations; the majority of the polychromy is repainted.)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania
  • Armorer: Kunz Lochner (German, Nuremberg, 1510–1567)
  • Date: ca. 1555; probably repainted and eye guards restored later
  • Geography: Nuremberg
  • Culture: German, Nuremberg
  • Medium: Steel, brass, gold, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 23 1/4 in. (59 cm); W. 13 1/4 in. (33.6 cm); D. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 8 oz. (2034 g)
  • Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Shaffrons
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1921
  • Object Number: 21.42
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

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Vamplate Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania, Kunz Lochner German, Steel, gold, paint, German, Nuremberg
Vamplate Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania
Kunz Lochner
ca. 1555; probably repainted later
Crinet Plate Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania, Kunz Lochner German, Steel, brass, gold, paint, German, Nuremberg
Crinet Plate Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania
Kunz Lochner
ca. 1555; probably repainted later
Pair of Tassets (Thigh Defenses) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania, Kunz Lochner German, Steel, gold, paint, German, Nuremberg
Pair of Tassets (Thigh Defenses) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania
Kunz Lochner
ca. 1555; probably repainted later
Left Pauldron (Shoulder Defense) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania, Kunz Lochner German, Steel, gold, paint, German, Nuremberg
Left Pauldron (Shoulder Defense) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania
Kunz Lochner
ca. 1555; probably repainted later
Crinet Plate Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuaniac, Kunz Lochner German, Steel, gold, leather, textile (velvet), German, Nuremberg
Crinet Plate Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuaniac
Kunz Lochner
ca. 1555

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