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Shield of Henry II of France (reigned 1547–59)

ca. 1555
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 374
The battle scene at the center is thought to depict the victory of Hannibal and the Carthaginians over the Romans in Cannae in 216 B.C., which here could be interpreted as an allusion to the struggle of France against the Holy Roman Empire during the sixteenth century. In the strapwork borders are the intertwined letters: H for Henry II (reigned 1547–59); C for Catherine de Médicis, his queen; and possibly also D for Diane de Poitiers, his mistress. Interspersed with the initials are crescents, the king's personal badge and a reference to the moon goddess Diana and her namesake Diane de Poitiers.

The design is very similar to a series of drawings for the decoration of armor attributed to Etienne Delaune, Jean Cousin the Elder, and Baptiste Pellerin, all artists active in Paris.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shield of Henry II of France (reigned 1547–59)
  • Date: ca. 1555
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Steel, gold, silver
  • Dimensions: H. 25 in. (63.5 cm); W. 18 in. (45.7 cm); Wt. 7 lb. (3175 g)
  • Classification: Shields
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1934
  • Object Number: 34.85
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59), Jean Cousin the Elder French, Steel, gold, silver, leather, textile, French, possibly Paris
Armor of Henry II, King of France (reigned 1547–59)
Jean Cousin the Elder
Baptiste Pellerin
ca. 1555
Burgonet with Falling Buffe, Steel, gold, French
Burgonet with Falling Buffe
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ca. 1550
Field Armor of King Henry VIII of England (reigned 1509–47), Steel, gold, textile, leather, Italian, Milan or Brescia

Field Armor of King Henry VIII of England (reigned 1509–47)

Italian, Milan or Brescia
ca. 1544
Portions of a Costume Armor, Kolman Helmschmid German, Steel, copper alloy, gold, German, Augsburg
Portions of a Costume Armor
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1525
Helmet (Sallet), Steel, iron, gold, silver, cloisonné enamel, leather, textile, Spanish, possibly Granada
Helmet (Sallet)
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late 15th–early 16th century

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