Apr 24, 2020
Oct 22, 2010

Gothic Backplate

Gothic Backplate

c. 1475–1500

Steel, modern leather straps

Overall: 44.5 x 34.5 x 16.5 cm (17 1/2 x 13 9/16 x 6 1/2 in.)

Weight: 2.9 kg (6.39 lbs.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1613

Did you know?

This armor would have been polished mirror bright and been a spectacular sight in the sunlight.

Description

Over time the increasing effectiveness of the crossbow and longbow made steel plates necessary for protection. Around 1400 a knight was protected almost entirely by plate armor. The elements shown here (backplate and fan-shaped pauldrons), with their sculptural line, illustrate the beauty of plate armor from the Gothic age.

See also

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email [email protected].

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.