Heavy Shot-Proof Continental (Italian) Lancer/Cuirassier Backplate. Later 16th Century, possibly originally circa 1550-60. With conversions for 17th Century fixtures.

Form and decoration:

Well modelled over the shoulders, rising towards the nape of the neck. It narrows towards the waist, which is strongly turned out in a short flange, darted upwards at the centre, and enhanced with a heavy engraved line, and finished with a flattish inward turned edge.
The neck and armpits are bordered by outward turns, and quadruple incised lines.

Marks:

The piece is arsenal marked ‘4’ on the outside of the neck as 4 dots below the engraved lines.

Condition:

Good. The whole piece has a stable dark ‘chocolate’ brown patina.

General observations:

An interesting piece: the filled rivet holes at the shoulders (and the later pairs of rivet holes at the leading edges of the shoulders) show that it originally has straps mounted further back on the shoulders, which were changed to plated shoulder straps in the 17th Century. Careful examination has identified pairs of rivet holes on either side of the flange, which have been hammered closed. They are positioned below the two holes at either side of the waist for the waist straps. These are holes for previous waist straps, and indicate that the piece is older than its form would suggest, having originally been longer (possibly circa 1550-60), and having been shortened and re-worked at the end of the 16th Century to conform to current fashion. Italianate pieces like this were used outside Italy all over Europe, particularly in England and the Low Countries, forming part of lancer armours commissioned by English monarchs and Nobles (such as pieces in the Pembroke Armoury), and used later during the Civil Wars.

Weight:

5KGs