Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 1).djvu/254

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in the Metropolitan Museum of New York, a complete though associated Italian harness of about 1460-70 which, before passing into the collection of the Duc de Dino, was in that of both Carrand and Spitzer (Fig. 214). The suit has stamped on most of its parts a Gothic letter S, interlaced with the "lance" of the cross; but on the left jamb and on the back part of the two pauldrons can be found traces of other stamps, which also have an Italian character. The head-piece is a salade of German shape, with a lifting visor beneath which, attached to the breastplate, is the bevor. This salade is not the original helmet of this suit. As in the case of the other two harnesses we have described, the front part of the breastplate is composed of two pieces, the foundation plate and the placate. The back plate is also laminated. The pauldrons are very large, à la façon d'Italie, the one on the right being hollowed so as to couch the lance. The arm guards are provided with coudes of exaggerated proportions so as to protect the saignée, the cavity of the arm and forearm. The gauntlets of mitten form reach to the elbows. The most remarkable plates of this armour are those which compose its skirt or tonnelet, a part known in France as the grande braconnière: this skirt, which covers the thighs, consists of six plates. The leg defences are Italian in shape and terminate at the ankle. The sollerets, composed of plates which accompany this armour, were added by Mr. Spitzer; the description of the armour made by Carrand senior proves that when it belonged to him the sollerets were not in existence. The very large proportions of the coudes, which are equally big at either elbow, and the long skirt of plates, might suggest that this suit was made especially for combat on foot in the champ clos; but the hollow at the espalier on the right and the presence of a lance-rest fixed to the right side of the breastplate indicate that it was also designed for equestrian service. We may mention that it is possible that this harness underwent modifications even during the period it was in use. Similar instances of modification are not rare in the case of authentic suits.

The fourth and last harness, or rather portion of a harness, of the Tomaso da Missaglia type with which we are acquainted is on the suit numbered B 19 in the Royal Armoury, Turin (Fig. 215). The associated leg defences are obviously of XVIth-century date. Many years have passed since we had the opportunity of examining this armour; but it was then our impression that the dark blue-black colour of its present surface was not original, but the result of a later re-blueing. The history of this particular harness is interesting, and some reliance, it appears, might be placed on its traditional provenance. It was presented in 1834 by the Board of Management of the Hospital of