The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Armor for a Cavalry Soldier (Cuirassier)

early 1600s

Netherlands, Holland

steel
Lent by The Royal Armouries, Leeds 38.2008
Location: 210A Armor Court

Description

The cuirassier was the heavy cavalryman or mounted soldier of the late 1500s and early 1600s. He was clad in full armor, like this suit, with the exception of his lower legs, which were protected by heavy riding boots. The cuirassier carried pistols and a sword as his principal weapons. Shortly after 1650, the heavy cavalry armor of the cuirassier disappeared from use. European cavalries by then abandoned full armor as impractical against the increased sophistication of firearms.
  • Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
  • {{cite web|title=Armor for a Cavalry Soldier (Cuirassier)|url=false|author=|year=early 1600s|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/38.2008