COMPREHENSIVELY LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A Composite North Italian (Milanese) Half-Armour
Comprehensively late 16th/early 17th Century
Comprising heavy close-helmet for the tilt (slight damage, from use in the tournament?) with one-piece skull with low comb and shield-shaped plume-holder, visor with single stepped sight with central division, prow-shaped upper-bevor (associated) pierced with small ventilation slots on the right, lower-bevor shaped to the chin, and steel strap and turning-pin fastenings, the lower edge with a hollow flange etched with roping, for the top of the gorget, the latter of a single deep main plate and a single neck-plate at front and rear, the top with turned border, cuirass comprising breast-plate of late peasecod form, and back-plate with lower flange, tassets of five plates each, pauldrons of seven plates flanked by a turning joint to the closed vambraces with heart-shaped cowters, and fingered gauntlets (thumb-plates missing, fingers replaced) with bell-shaped pointed cuffs, etched throughout in the so-called 'Pisan' manner with bands containing strapwork and Classical figures in oval cartouches, releathered throughout (the etching and gilding apparently refreshed or of later date, apart from that on most of the helmet): on padded wooden dummy with carved wooden legs (one wormed) and shoes, and on wooden plinth

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. This lot is subject to Collection and Storage Charges.

Lot Essay

In view of this armour's English provenance, it seems likely that it was assembled and given the appearance of homogeneity by Samuel Luke Pratt, the well-known 19th-century armour dealer who traded at No. 47 Bond Street for forty years until his death in 1878 at the age of 73

More from ANTIQUE ARMS AND ARMOUR AND BOOKS

View All