IDENTIFIERS ----------- id: 18009 accession number: HEN.M.18C-1933 DATE AUDIT ---------- created: Saturday 6 August 2011 updated: Friday 8 January 2016 DESCRIPTIVE DATA ---------------- object type: Backplate, for use by an harquebusier The backplate, of exceptional weight, is formed in one piece with a narrow, upward-flanged neck-opening and a flange at the waist. Secured by four round-headed rivets at each shoulder, beneath an original scale with simple filed ornament, is a modern buff-leather shoulder-strap. The long terminal scale of each strap, cut with three keyhole-slots to engage the mushroom-shaped studs of the breastplate, is a modern restoration. Later holes pierced a short distance beneath the proximal ends of each of the shoulder-straps have subsequently been plugged with rivets. Riveted high up between the shoulder-blades is a large pierced stud with an annular head that carries a sturdy, welded ring of uncertain function. Riveted at each side of the waist is a modern buff-leather strap forming a waist-belt. The left strap terminates in a modern, double-ended, tongued iron buckle. Vacant holes are pierced just to the outside of each of the rivets that attach the present straps. The arm-openings, the neck-openings and the waist-flange have plain inward turns bordered by single incised lines. The backplate is of a form designed for use by the harquebusier rather than the cuirassier. From its great weight, however, it is conceivable that this particular example was intended for siege use. The ring fitted between the shoulder-blades may have served some function in that role. Part of the composite three-quarter armour HEN.M.18A-F-1933. title: backplate (body armour) NOTES ----- type: history note value: Probably in the Stafford Collection sold by Christies, London, 28-30 May 1885, Lot 74 for £29. Subsequently in the Amherst Collection, sold by Christies, London, 11 December 1908, Lot 56, 32 gns. Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex. LICENSING --------- text license status: CC0 image license status: CC-BY-NC-SA OWNERSHIP --------- instutition: The Fitzwilliam Museum department: Applied Arts collection: J.S. Henderson creditline: J.S. Henderson Bequest STABLE URL ---------- url: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/18009 TECHNIQUES ---------- the backplate, of exceptional weight, is formed in one piece with a narrow, upward-flanged neck-opening; hammered, shaped, riveted, decorated with incised lines and simple file ornament hammering TECHNIQUES ---------- forming CATEGORIES ------ category: armour DATING ------ creation date: 1670 - 1680 creation date earliest: 1670 creation date latest: 1680 culture: 17th Century# CREATORS -------- maker: Unknown DIMENSIONS ---------- dimension: Depth units: cm value: 14.5 dimension: Height units: cm value: 45.0 dimension: Weight units: kg value: 5.73 dimension: Width units: cm value: 32.5