Apr 6, 2020
Apr 25, 2007
Apr 25, 2007

"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)

"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)

c. 1580

Steel; brass rivets simulating buttons

Overall: 47.6 x 29.6 x 25.7 cm (18 3/4 x 11 5/8 x 10 1/8 in.)

Weight: 4.96 kg (10.93 lbs.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1721

Did you know?

While it would provide some protection to the torso, the armor here is very light; fashion not function was the prerequisite.

Description

This cuirass is a specialized type of costume armor. In addition to protecting its owner's torso, it was clearly intended to simulate a civilian jacket, or doublet, with a row of buttons down the front. The owner would have opened it like an ordinary doublet since the two halves are hinged to a narrow backplate.

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.