Artwork Page for Half Armor for the Foot Tournament

Details / Information for Half Armor for the Foot Tournament

Half Armor for the Foot Tournament

c. 1590
(Italian, active 1572–93)
Measurements
Overall: 31.7 x 27.7 x 21.6 cm (12 1/2 x 10 7/8 x 8 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Public Domain
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Did You Know?

Pompeo della Cesa was the Armani or Gucci of the 1500s; everyone wanted to wear him.

Description

This armor was designed for the foot tournament, an event that was separate from the equestrian jousts popularized during the Middle Ages and still favored among Renaissance aristocracies throughout Europe. Foot tournaments were commonly fought over a barrier that separated the combatants and gave protection to their legs, so a half-armor such as this one provided sufficient protection. The original owner of this suit would have worn it with colorful puffed and slashed britches and hose. The use of outlandish accessories, such as a large ostrich feather plume (a brass plume holder may be seen on the back of the helmet) and red velvet pickadils between the steel plates, provided additional splendor.
A half of a set of steel armor including the helmet, shoulder, arm, chest, and torso pieces is detailed with etchings of patterns and figures. It also contains a reddish-purple belt and red velvet fittings visible at the edges of the armor.

Half Armor for the Foot Tournament

c. 1590

Pompeo della Cesa

(Italian, active 1572–93)
Italy, Milan

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