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LOT 1257
- Composed of some original late 16th century components and
some pieces professionally crafted later. This beautiful Pisan style
harness has bands of etched decoration on the helmet, breastplate,
backplate, right pauldron, right arm defense and tassets. The helm
uses a swiveling hook and pierced stud to latch the bevor to the
skull and the ventail to the bevor. The skull and visor of the close
helm appear to be original Italian from c. 1570-1590. The ventail and
bevor are high quality, expertly crafted replacements. There is a brass
plume holder at the rear with red plume. There are traces of an old
leather lining riveted inside. The gorget appears to be of Italian origin
and collar is from a different source. The right gauntlet, cuff and five
metacarpal lowers appear to be original Italian components from the
last quarter of the 16th century. The right vambrace was originally a
left vambrace. The lower cannon is a contemporary piece. The four
lower lames and right pauldron are original Northern Italian pieces
from the last quarter 16th century. The left gauntlet is similar to the
right with cuff to knuckle being a pair (likely Italian last quarter 16th
century). The left pauldron, jousting exchange piece with gardbrace
and arm components defenses are all contemporary. The breastplate
and backplate are of munitions quality from the latter 16th century
with etching added later. The inside of both are marked in small red
painted letters “ELLIS”. The left tasset appears to be from a similar
period with etching added later.
The fauld appears to be from the latter 16th century, but was later
reworked. The brayette, cuisses, greaves and Gothic style pointed
sabatons are later additions. Includes a parade style two handed
sword with flamberge style blade. The blade is stamped with a maker’s
mark of a sword with a crescent moon on either side of the blade and
a dot on either side of the grip. The blade is also marked “Le Pense
Plus”. Has a metal studded wooden grip with cloth wrapping. Sword
measures 67 inches long. Mounted on a plain black painted wooden
base. Stands 7 feet tall with base.
CONDITION: The armor is good overall with areas of discoloration,
minor pitting, some breakthroughs/small holes, some cracks and some
patches of oxidation, all typical of the age of some of the components.
The comb of the helmet has three original holes at the top rear. The
original etching is visible but slightly faint overall. The contemporary
pieces have very sharp etching. The visor has been extensively
repaired/reshaped and there is some scattered moderate damage
overall. The latching stud on the ventail is absent. The plume holder
appears to be a later addition. The gorget is fair. A very attractive
harness with many original components that would be a welcome
addition to any collection of fine arms and armour!
Provenance: The William Ashby Collection; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 40,000
Highly Attractive Composite Harness of Armour of
the 16th Century Northern Italian Pisan Style
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