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LOT 1254
- Composed of some original 16th and 17th century
components along with some high quality, later-made
pieces, this is an incredibly impressive and highly
attractive piece portraying a life-size barded warhorse
and armoured rider that is sure to make a statement
wherever it is displayed. The barding on the life-size
fiberglass warhorse is composed of two styles with
the chanfron, crinet, and crupper all of one style with
matching embossed flutes and are of contemporary
production. The chanfron has a shield shaped rondel,
ear defenses, and pierced strapwork eye protection.
The poitrel and flanchards are of a different style and
appear to be of much earlier production than the
rest of the barding. There is a wavy edge decoration
and brass hinges with heart piercings on the poitrel
and flanchards. The saddle appears to be composite
and has very nice late 16th century Italian etched
decoration on the front center plate. The right front
plate is from the same period and is plain. The
remaining plates are of contemporary construction.
The stirrups are gilt cast bronze with arms and armor
in the decoration. The reins and bit are very well
made. The grayish-brown caparison with maroon
edging is a contemporary piece. The rider’s armor
is a composition of parts from 16th Century and
later elements. The close helmet has a two-piece
riveted skull with a rolled roped edge comb, there are
piercings on the side for hearing along with diamond
and heart shaped piercings on the right side of the
ventail for ventilation. The pauldrons are not a pair
but have the same style of brass washed rivets in a
decorative pattern. The right pauldron is a composite
consisting of early 16th century German parts.
The left pauldron is from the 17th Century. The
right elbow is early 16th Century German with one
replaced lame. The left elbow is early to mid 16th
Century German. The breast plate is in the style of c.
1500. It has winged elbow couters and knee poleyns,
mitten gauntlets, and very well made plain sabatons.
At the top of the English Civil War era back plate,
there is a “crown/IR” London Armorer’s mark. The
tassets, culette and leg defenses are nicely-made
contemporary pieces. Includes a 12 1/2 foot wooden
lance with a tri-pointed coronel and a thick 14 inch
diameter vamplate (improperly positioned on the
lance). While part of the Ashby Collection, it was
indicated that the fiberglass horse came from The
Metropolitan Museum of Art. The horse is mounted
on a 15 inch tall x 36 inch wide x 75 inch long
wheeled wooden base.
CONDITION: Good, there is scattered minor pitting
overall with some areas of moderate pitting and
some areas of oxidation. There are some scattered
minor dings and dents overall. The helmet visor latch
does not function correctly. The back plate has been
trimmed to better match the breast plate. Strong
traces of brass remains on the rivets. A significant
amount of the original gilt remains on the stirrups.
The fiberglass horse is very good. The wooden base
has some cracks. The lance shaft has had the vamplate
moved and is cracking near the fasteners. This is,
without a doubt, a collection defining display piece
that is sure to grab attention!
Provenance: The William Ashby Collection;
A Private Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 45,000
Impressive and Highly Desirable Composite Full-Size
Barded Warhorse and Armoured Rider Harness
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