Breastplate (body armour): HEN.M.105-1933

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

• Breastplate (body armour)

Categories

• Armour

Description

Breastplate, for infantry use, decorated with fluting in the 'Gothic' fashion. Of rounded, medially-ridged form, composed of a breastplate proper, covering the thorax, and an upward overlapping plackart, covering the abdomen. The breastplate proper has bold, angular, outward turns at the neck and arm-openings. The arm-openings are each bordered by three flutes which converge slightly before fading out at their upper and lower ends. A pair of rivet-holes for the attachment of shoulder-straps is pierced at the top of each shoulder, while a pair of lace-holes is pierced at the centre of the neck-opening. The upper edge of the plackart is decorated with five cusps, of which the central one terminates in a large leaf-shaped finial pierced at either side of its base with four decorative holes in lozenge formation. The central and outer cusps are fitted with modern round-headed rivets and internal washers that secure the plackart to the breastplate proper. The upper edge of the plackart is bordered at either side by three flutes that converge just below the central rivet. The lower edge of the plackart is flanged outwards to receive a skirt. The flange is pierced at each of its outer ends with a rivet-hole, and fitted at the centre with a pair of externally-flush rivets retaining a fragment of the internal connecting-leather.

Notes

History note: Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex.

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

15th Century, Late
Production date: circa AD 1480

Note

South German

The breastplate is bright with some patches of light pitting. The turns at the arm-openings show some cracks and delamination in the metal.

The first breastplates were not made as a single piece but in two parts – upper and lower sections called plaquarts – usually held together by a leather strap and buckle. In this late example, the two halves are riveted together. The fluting adds strength to the armour as well as creating bold and dramatic decoration. This breastplate was made for use by foot soldiers, the infantry.