RARE GERMAN CHAMFRON, C.1550-75

 Iron, 17 ½” height anatomically shaped with integral raised eye protections and riveted ear protectors. The bottom edge rolled. The front with a series of rosettes and rivets surrounding a plume holder. That plume holder is identical to one on a chamfron by famed Augsburg armorer, Anton Pefffenhauser in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (#14.25.1647) illustrated in Medieval and Renaissance Arms and Armor, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum, Jan. 15-March 8 1953, pl.37.

This fine chamfron was sold at RARE GERMAN HORSE ARMOR CHAMFRON, Sotheby’s London, March 24, 1969, to Alvin M. Bentley, of Owasso MI who, among other things, represented Michigan in the U S House of Representatives and was one of the five Representatives shot, on March 1, 1954, US Capitol shooting. That day, Representatives were debating an immigration bill, when four Puerto Rican nationalists seeking independence for Puerto Rico, opened fire from the balcony wounding five Representatives, all of whom survived. It is notable that of the 232 lots in the sale, this chamfron, lot 121, illustrated, achieved the eighth highest price.  

An exceptional example of an item of which any, is exceedingly rare.