Images
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=83FBCD228E34681713A0908EA8A2B2619552A4454C088B75F6B43D6104CE64B3&s=24247294&se=450972956&v=1&f=%5Cd7308%5Cu228073086%5C1916.1804.b_o2.jpg
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=40CCB3169645225D06FF42222A744B70BD3D6020B1E649CF6CB1B87E2AEF0E8A&s=24247294&se=450972956&v=0&f=1916.1804.b_o2.jpg
Apr 17, 2020
Feb 4, 2015
Breastplate
Breastplate
c. 1540
Part of a set. See all set records
Steel
Overall: 43.8 x 36.9 cm (17 1/4 x 14 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.82 kg (6.22 lbs.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1804.b
Location
Download and Share
Did you know?
The decoration along the edge is known as a roped edge.
Description
The breastplate protects the chest and abdomen and is normally worn with a backplate. This one features a lance rest which start to appear as early as the late 1300s. The purpose of the lance rest is not to bear the weight of the lance. Instead allows a mounted warrior to hold the lance firmly couched under his right arm and stops it from sliding backward. If the target is hit the lance rest also acts as a shock absorber, preventing the lance from shooting backward and dispersing the impact via the breastplate all over the upper body rather than leaving it concentrated on the hand. When not needed it can be folded up so that is is out of the way.
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 collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.
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.