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Elements of an Armor Garniture, including Exchange Burgonet (helmet) and Shield

c. 1560
Artist/maker unknown, German

An armor garniture is a complete suit of armor with a set of exchange elements designed to adapt the basic unit to different uses, such as tournament or battle. The consummate etched decoration of this garniture, with a variety of animals enclosed in a strapwork design, is characteristic of a series of fine suits of armor made in Augsburg. It is believed to have belonged to the Spanish nobleman Don Sancho de Avila (1523–1583), one of the many foreigners who commissioned armor in Augsburg.

The breeches and heraldic tunic are modern substitutions for the lost breastplate and backplate.

Object Details

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