Foot-Combat Armor of Prince-Elector Christian I of Saxony (reigned 1586–91)
Combat on foot between contestants separated by a waist-high barrier was a popular sport in European courts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It could be staged indoors or out and was fought with pikes and swords. A prescribed number of blows was allowed with each weapon. The presence of the barrier and strict rules prohibiting strikes below the belt made leg armor unnecessary.
Artwork Details
- Title:
Foot-Combat Armor of Prince-Elector Christian I of Saxony (reigned 1586–91)
- Armorer: Anton Peffenhauser (German, Augsburg, 1525–1603)
- Decorator: Decoration attributed to Jörg Sorg the Younger (German, Augsburg, ca. 1522–1603)
- Date: 1591
- Geography: Augsburg
- Culture: German, Augsburg
- Medium: Steel, gold, leather, copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 38 11/16 in. (98.2 cm); Wt. 46 lb. 3 oz. (20.96 kg); helmet Wt. 11 lb. 9 oz. (5245 g)
- Classification: Armor for Man-1/2 Armor
- Credit Line: Gift of Henry Walters, 1927
- Object Number: 27.206a–l
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
Audio
4426. Foot-Combat Armor of Prince-Elector Christian I of Saxony, Part 1
PIERRE TERJANIAN: This spectacular armor was made in Augsburg by Anton Pefenhauser, who, since the middle of the sixteenth century, was one of the leading armorers of the city.
NARRATOR: Pefenhauser created it for Prince-Elector Christian I of Saxony in 1591. It’s designed for a type of tournament known as “foot combat.” Curator Pierre Terjanian.
PIERRE TERJANIAN: The contestants were armed with swords, and sometimes also with pikes. They would be separated from each other by a tall fence that basically provided protection for their legs. And that is why this armor doesn't have any leg defenses. The contest was fought with the body turned to one side. And that is why you will see, when you look at the left shoulder, the left shoulder is made broader than the right one, because that's the one that was turned towards the fence.
NARRATOR: This armor was one of twelve identical sets commissioned by Sophie of Brandenburg as a Christmas gift for her husband, Christian I.
PIERRE TERJANIAN: It was a tradition at the court of Saxony for the wives of the princes-electors to present them with weapons. Sometimes the weapons that were presented were swords. In this case, twelve armors was a very magnificent gift. They were all built identical, and the prince-elector would have worn one of them. The others were for his guests.
NARRATOR: But the Prince-Elector never got to enjoy his gift—he died three months before Christmas. Press play to hear about the other items in this case.
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