The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Black and White Elbow Gauntlet for the Right Hand

Black and White Elbow Gauntlet for the Right Hand

c.1570
steel, blackened with leather
Overall: 43.2 x 12.7 cm (17 x 5 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1082
Location: 210A Armor Court

Did You Know?

To throw a gauntlet or armored glove at the feet of your enemy or opponent was a grave insult, one only to be matched with personal combat. This is where we get the modern phrase "throw down the gauntlet."

Description

Plate armor alternately decorated with brightly polished ("white") and darkened ("black") surface areas is commonly referred to as "black and white" armor. The black color results from painting the surface areas, or merely leaving them dark from the forging process. The gauntlet here has been further embellished with an embossed cuff. The 1500s saw the revival of this ancient technique also known as repoussé. First the pattern is drawn onto the surface and then hammered and punched from the inside to gradually shape the desired raised design on the outer surface of the metal. This technique was reserved for only the costliest of armors.
  • ?-1916
    Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Catalogue of Arms and Armour. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], 1900. cat. no. 287 archive.org
    Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 74, C40 archive.org
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. pp. 88-89, 163, cat. no. 12
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. p. 184, cat. no. 34
  • Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
  • {{cite web|title=Black and White Elbow Gauntlet for the Right Hand|url=false|author=|year=c.1570|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1082