Collection Online as of March 31, 2023
Left Arm Elements from a Boy's Armor (Lower Cannon, Couter, Rerebrace)
Germany, Augsburg, mostly 17th Century
(some modern)
Etched and lightly embossed steel with traces of gilding, leather
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.708
Location
not on view
Description
These elements once belonged to a full suit of armor that would have been made for a young boy. Decorated with etching, embossing, and gilding, the original suit would have been impressive. Dressing your sons in small custom suits of armor was popular with the wealthiest nobles. They would have been worn for parades and ceremonial occasions and once outgrown were often kept as mementos. Made for the left arm, the rerebrace or upper cannon protected the upper arm, the couter the elbow, and the lower cannon the forearm.