Partial Suit of Armor in Maximilian Style: Breastplate and tassets

No image available

Partial Suit of Armor in Maximilian Style: Breastplate and tassets

c. 1525

Part of a set, view all set records

Germany, Nuremberg

steel, steel and brass rivets, leather straps

Overall: 45.2 x 37.2 x 17.8 cm (17 13/16 x 14 5/8 x 7 in.)
Weight: 2.78 kg (6.13 lbs.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1714.c

Location: 210A Armor Court

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Description

This fluted armor was visually striking in natural sunlight, which created a dazzling effect as it reflected off the polished, rippling steel. The flutings may have originated as a means of imitating the pleatings of male costume of the day. It became apparent, however, that the flutings were also a strengthening device, similar to corrugated metal. This enabled the armorer to use plates of thinner—and therefore lighter—steel. Such suits of armor demanded time-consuming and highly precise work from the armorer, which in turn quickly drove the production costs high enough that the fashion disappeared by 1540.