The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection, A Family Collection, A National Museum, An International Treasure House

Results:  1

Breastplate
  • Breastplate
  • Unknown Artist / Maker
  • France or Italy
  • c. 1580
  • Steel, blued
  • Weight: 2.06 kg
  • A225
  • European Armoury III
Commentary
Further Reading
  • Breastplate from a 'waistcoat' cuirass, made in two plates opening down the front in the manner of a peascod doublet. They were originally hinged at each side to a backplate and secured in front by two hooks-and-eyes. The lower hook which was mounted on the waist flange is missing. Down the front is a row of conical steel studs simulating buttons. At the waist is a flange with the border cut out and embossed to represent pickadils. At the neck are two gorget-plates articulated by brass-headed, sliding rivets, the upper edge roped. The surface is rough from the hammer and has been blued (now black), with the edges of the gorget-plates; the roping round the arm openings, the hinges, the studs down the front and the borders of the pickadils are gilt. The arm openings and pickadils carry brass-capped lining-rivets.