CIRCA 1530, ALMOST CERTAINLY BY MICHEL WITZ THE YOUNGER OF INNSBRUCK
Details
An Innsbruck Falling Buffe For A Burgonet
Circa 1530, Almost Certainly By Michel Witz The Younger Of Innsbruck
Of bright steel comprising three parts, low collar of two parts hinged on the left and with pivot fastening on the right, the lower edge with boldly roped hollow turn, and falling plate with recessed roped border above a pair of long narrow vision slits, and "handle-bar" moustache, the front with full-height low medial ridge, the top edge of the rear collar plate with a narrow turn bordered by a row of small holes
6in. (15.3cm.) high
The unusual construction of this buffe, designed to work independently on a gorget instead of being attached to a helmet, is otherwise recorded only on an armour made by Michel Witz in circa 1530 for Franz von Castelalto (d. 1555), an Imperial Court official, in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (No. A352). See Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Katalog der Leibrüstkammer II, 1990, p. 21, and W. Boeheim, Handbuch der Waffenkunde, Leipzig, 1890, p. 50, fig. 40
Circa 1530, Almost Certainly By Michel Witz The Younger Of Innsbruck
Of bright steel comprising three parts, low collar of two parts hinged on the left and with pivot fastening on the right, the lower edge with boldly roped hollow turn, and falling plate with recessed roped border above a pair of long narrow vision slits, and "handle-bar" moustache, the front with full-height low medial ridge, the top edge of the rear collar plate with a narrow turn bordered by a row of small holes
6in. (15.3cm.) high
The unusual construction of this buffe, designed to work independently on a gorget instead of being attached to a helmet, is otherwise recorded only on an armour made by Michel Witz in circa 1530 for Franz von Castelalto (d. 1555), an Imperial Court official, in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (No. A352). See Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Katalog der Leibrüstkammer II, 1990, p. 21, and W. Boeheim, Handbuch der Waffenkunde, Leipzig, 1890, p. 50, fig. 40
Provenance
Earl of Portarlington (?)
H. Furmage
F.H. Cripps-Day
H. Furmage
F.H. Cripps-Day
Literature
Country Life, 5 April 1962, p. 757
Exhibited
Willmer House Museum, Farnham, 3-29 April 1962, No. 7
The Art of the Armourer, Victoria & Albert Museum, 19 April-5 May 1963, No. 35
The Art of the Armourer, Victoria & Albert Museum, 19 April-5 May 1963, No. 35