Court for which they were working we are unable to say, for no other marked pieces than the three we have mentioned are known. We are indebted to Sir Henry Angst of Zurich for the illustration and details which describe the Besançon suit (Fig. 241).
We will now again allude to a suit regarded as one of the most treasured possessions of the Musée d'Artillerie of Paris (G 4), a suit which has always been considered of French nationality, but which, though doubtless made in France and in the fashion of that country, we pronounce to be the work of Italian armourers settled there. In the official catalogue it is ascribed to the latter part of the reign of Charles VII; but it is our impression that it is of later date, about 1480. Very simple in its outline and almost entirely devoid of ornamentation, it has the educational advantage of each plate belonging to its fellow, while the armet head-piece is that which was made for the suit. Its workmanship is excellent, and the general form most pleasing from its obvious convenience for wear. The pauldrons are remarkably advanced in their development in comparison with the rest of the harness. We note also a curious feature in the pointed tuille-like tassets, that is to say, the addition of four laminated plates riveted at their tops before their attachment to the taces. The leg defences are modelled with the greatest anatomical knowledge (Fig. 243).
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Fig. 243. Suit of armour, French(?) about 1480
G 4, Musée d'Artillerie, Paris
When we turn for an example of true German armour in full complete-
