Three-quarter Armor
- Culture
- probably German
- Date
- second quarter 17th century
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 52 x 25 1/2 x 18 in. (132.1 x 64.8 x 45.7 cm)
weight: 45 lb. (20.4 kg) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 172:1926a-m
NOTES
In the 16th century, as hand firearms became a threat to the armored warrior, it was common to make torso armor thicker, and thus heavier. With the additional weight, wearers often discarded pieces considered less necessary, resulting in three-quarter armor that extended to the knees. This set reflects civilian costume styles with its high waist and wide thigh armor.
Provenance
by 1850s - 1926
Princes von Liechtenstein, Sebenstein Castle, Austria [1]
1926 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction of the Liechtenstein collection, "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience." American Art Association, New York, NY, November 19-20, lot no. 311 [2]
Notes:
[1] Stuart Pyhrr, curator of arms and armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, believes that the armor was already in the collection of the Princes of Liechtenstein, in the castle at Sebenstein, when this armor was restored and completed in the 1850s by the Viennese craftsman Friedrich Reimann [SLAM document files].
[2] Sales catalogue annotated in a handwritten note identifies lot no. 311 as 172:1926. ["European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience." American Art Association, Nov. 19-20, 1926]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, December 10, 1926.
Princes von Liechtenstein, Sebenstein Castle, Austria [1]
1926 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction of the Liechtenstein collection, "European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience." American Art Association, New York, NY, November 19-20, lot no. 311 [2]
Notes:
[1] Stuart Pyhrr, curator of arms and armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, believes that the armor was already in the collection of the Princes of Liechtenstein, in the castle at Sebenstein, when this armor was restored and completed in the 1850s by the Viennese craftsman Friedrich Reimann [SLAM document files].
[2] Sales catalogue annotated in a handwritten note identifies lot no. 311 as 172:1926. ["European Arms and Armor Mainly XV, XVI, & XVII Centuries, Including Artistic and Rare Specimens from Princely Provenience." American Art Association, Nov. 19-20, 1926]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, December 10, 1926.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.