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Breastplate
  • Breastplate
  • Unknown Artist / Maker
  • Germany
  • Date: c. 1550
  • Medium: Steel, etched
  • Weight: 4.2 kg
  • Inv: A212
  • Location: Arms and Armour II
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Description
Further Reading
  • Breastplate, of small size, heavy and with central ridge; the edges of the neck and of the gussets at the arm-holes are flanged and roped, and the edges of the arm-holes bevelled; two buckles at the top. Attached to the waist is a restored skirt plate. The rivets attaching the gussets and the skirt have fluted hemispherical steel heads. It is decorated with bands of foliage, etched in a distinctive style on a black and granulated ground. On the frieze at the neck are etched two mermen affronté, one wearing a mitre, the other, who is bearded, wearing a hat. A bird is included among the foliage of the central and the diagonal bands.

    The backplate belonging to this breastplate is now in the Hermitage, St Petersberg (Z.O.3007).