FINE NORTH ITALIAN BREASTPLATE C.LATE 16TH-17TH CENTURY

Iron, 3 lbs 5.8 oz weight, of peascod form which emulated the padded men’s jackets, also called goose-bellied doublets popular at the time. The decoration is in bands of contemporary and ancient Roman arms and armor, serpents, mythological beasts, and classical and mythological portraits. The style was popularized by the work of Pompeo della Cesa of Milan. The material is rolled blister steel which was produced by carburizing wrought iron and laminating plates together. Left of center are two minor imperfections resulting from that process. It is made in two plates with the bottom plate (fauld) made without provision for tassets. Thus, it is from a part of armor, comprising a helmet and cuirass (breast and back). It would have been worn at court, and in processions. At the time, nobles and high-ranking clergy were subject to assassination in the competition for power. Such elites were accompanied by an armed entourage (bodyguards) when traveling outside their palaces, even for the most routine trips, such as to church. The armor worn by those guards has been characterized as “parade” or “professional” which tends to overlook that they were fully functional and often called upon for protection.