July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2022
Of appropriate scale for a boy, comprising a helmet with brow visor and hinged cheek pieces with pierced areas for the ear (it appears as though the original wearer of this armor had issues hearing what he was being told!), lined with canvas and brocade, retained by a chin strap. Other elements include gorget, breastplate, pauldrons of 4 lames, rerebrace of 7 lames, lozenge shaped couters, fingered gauntlets of 4 lames, tassets of 26 lames, and 2 spurs with rowels nailed to unarmored feet. Brass studs are in the form of a besauges on the pauldrons. Mounted on a wooden base and complete with a mannequin that has the face of a boy. This suit of armor was recorded as being a part of the Loan Exhibition of European arms and Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from August 3rd to September 27th, 1931 as catalog number 27 where it is described as having "Blackened surface; tassets modern, but made of old metal; restorations in each upper arm defense.", and being lent by Harriet M. Dean (Bashford Dean's sister, who inherited many of his pieces on his death). It was later sold as part of her estate in the 1943 sale by Parke-Bernet as Lot 306. CONDITION: Overall very good, as described in the catalog. Blackened armor with some visible patination throughout and roughage from hand forging, highly attractive appearance. Brass studs are excellent with a deep golden patina. Leather is fragile and solidified throughout, exercise caution to avoid damage. Brocade is fragile and separated from canvas in several areas. One gauntlet has middle finger detached from lame but still attached to canvas, thumb detached completely (included). Base contemporary and shows evidence of chipping to paint. A really lovely suit of armor from a massively important collector and displayed in one of the highest collecting institutions. EMW
CORRECTION: Photos updated.