Cuirassier Armor
Artist/maker unknown, Northern Italian or French. Commissioned by Magdalena Sibylla of Brandenburg, 1587 - 1659, for her husband, Duke Johann Georg I of Saxony, 1585 - 1656 (ruled as prince elector 1611 - 1656).
Made in Italy, Europe
or France, Europe
Date:
1612Medium:
Etched and partially blackened steel; leather (replaced)Dimensions:
Weight: 63 lb. (28.58 kg) Height (top edge of comb to bottom edge of tassets): 40 11/16 inches (103.4 cm) Other (girth at waist :exterior...about): 38 9/16 inches (98 cm) Width (across midpoints of shoulders): 24 inches, 2 feet (61 x 61 cm) Width (across outer midpoint of couter: arms relaxed & don't touch cuir): 31 7/8 inches (81 cm) Length (down center of tasset, from waist to midpoint of poleyn): 24 3/16 inches (61.5 cm) Depth (helmet, from brim across to level of rear neck plate): 14 9/16 inches (37 cm) Width (backplate across the waist ... about): 12 13/16 inches (32.5 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and Sculpture
* Gallery 247, Arms and Armor, second floor (Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Galleries)
Accession Number:1977-167-36Credit Line:
Bequest of Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch, 1977
In the court of Saxony, influential women sometimes commissioned armor for use by men. This armor belonged to a set of seven similar armors presented in 1612 by Magdalena Sibylla (1587-1659), margravine of Brandenburg, as a Christmas gift to her husband, Prince Elector Johann Georg I of Saxony (ruled 1611 to 1656).
The set, intended for the personal use of the elector and his guests during tournaments contested on foot, was worn on July 4, 1613, to celebrate the baptism of the electoral heir, Johann Georg (1613-1680, ruled 1656 to 1680). The other six suits of armor, including the elector's own, are preserved in the Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Germany.
* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit.