Portions of a Field Armor
These pieces were once part of a complete armor designed for use in battle. Its missing parts include the helmet, collar, gauntlets, and leg defenses. Even though incomplete, this armor is notable for the quality of its construction, the elegance of its form, accented by prominent roped ridges, and for its lively etched decoration.
The etched decoration features distinctive female heads, birds, and trophies amid foliate scrolls, all derived from prints by Daniel Hopfer (1471–1536). It is believed that early in his career, Hopfer etched ornament and figures on armor. Emperor Maximilian especially favored armor decorated with Italianate motifs in the Northern Renaissance style.
The etched decoration features distinctive female heads, birds, and trophies amid foliate scrolls, all derived from prints by Daniel Hopfer (1471–1536). It is believed that early in his career, Hopfer etched ornament and figures on armor. Emperor Maximilian especially favored armor decorated with Italianate motifs in the Northern Renaissance style.
Artwork Details
- Title: Portions of a Field Armor
- Date: dated 1524
- Geography: probably Augsburg
- Culture: German, probably Augsburg
- Medium: Steel, leather
- Dimensions: H. as mounted 29 3/4 in. (75.57 cm); Wt. 28 lb. (12.7 kg); breastplate (c): 14 3/4 × 14 3/4 × 7 11/16 in. (37.5 × 37.5 × 19.5 cm); Wt. 6 lb. 14 oz. (3112 g); tassets (d): 10 1/4 × 19 5/16 × 7 3/8 in. (26 × 49 × 18.7 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 3 oz. (1445 g); backplate (e): 15 9/16 × 14 15/16 × 9 1/4 in. (39.5 × 38 × 23.5 cm); Wt. 5 lb. 3 oz. (2340 g); culet (f): 5 7/8 × 18 5/16 × 12 3/16 in. (15 × 46.5 × 31 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 8 oz. (1141 g); right pauldron (g): 10 13/16 × 10 13/16 × 7 13/16 in. (27.5 × 27.5 × 19.8 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 7 oz. (1110 g); left pauldron (h): 11 5/8 × 11 5/16 × 8 9/16 in. (29.5 × 28.8 × 21.8 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 12 oz. (1251 g); vambrace (i): 20 × 6 × 9 1/2 in. (50.8 × 15.2 × 24.1 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 9 oz. (1165 g); vambrace (j): 20 × 5 1/2 × 9 in. (50.8 × 14 × 22.9 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 8 oz. (1136 g)
- Classification: Armor for Man
- Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Bequest of Bashford Dean, 1928
- Object Number: 29.150.3b–p
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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