A HUSSARS BREASTPLATE, POLAND, LITHUANIA OR HUNGARY, 1ST HALF OF 16TH CENTURY. HARNISCH. Origin:

A HUSSARS BREASTPLATE, POLAND, LITHUANIA OR HUNGARY, 1ST HALF OF 16TH CENTURY. HARNISCH.
Origin: Poland, Lithuania or Hungary.
Beautifully hammered from quite thick sheet iron, with no signs of use in battle. Breastplate weights 2.63 kg. It belonged to the hussar armor, dating to the first half of 16th century and could have been used in Poland, Lithuania or Hungary. It was made in the workshop with highly qualified smith. Dimensions: height - 42 cm, width - 37 cm.
Breastplate consists of an upper plate with central ridge and protruding edges strengthen the shoulder and three movable lower plates. The edges are decorated with diagonal grooves arranged in theme corded. Equally beautifully forged upper edge of the plate, which has embedded necklace. Similarly decorated with diagonal grooves, arranged symmetrically from the center.
Three lower narrow plates made with high quality. They are mounted on movable rivets with a smooth, semi-circular, brass head each. Lower plate has three rivets with semicircular heads on each end – one for fixing the plate and two for fixing the leather belt. From the inside of the breastplate rivets are flat, similar to octagon, some with washers. Original leather connecting three lower plates and bigger upper plate is present.
Inside of the breastplate is covered with black paint. In the top section of the upper corners, it has two steel clips attached to the upper steel plate and riveted, the ends of rivets are visible on the front of the breastplate. Lower plates are connected with strips of leather, clamped with steel rivets. On a black background of the breastplate appear the following inscriptions, painted with yellow paint: # 804 / J (?) WHA No. 804. On the left leather stripe, holding lower plates, on oval brass plate with the inscription THE JOHN WOODMAN HIGGINS / Armory INC. WORCESTER MASS is attached. Also inventory number can be seen: “No 804” The numbers were given by the previous owner. This indicates the origin of the collection of Mr. John Woodman Higgins (1874-1961), the founder of the private The Higgins Armory Museum, devoted exclusively to the antique weaponry. It was the second largest collection of weapons in the US after the Metropolitan Museum of Art., operating until 2013, later transformed into the Worcester Art. Museum. Part of the collection was sold, as this breastplate. Similar objects are known from the armory of Radziwill in Nesvizh, it may be described as derived from this collection.
This breastplate is an extremely rare object, perfectly preserved, with excellent provenance.
Comes with an expertise of authenticity by Prof. dr. hab. Zdzis?aw ?ygulski jun.
Condition report: Extremely good condition according to an age.
Provenance: Ex Higgins Armoury, probably armoury of Radziwills in Nesvizh.
Bibliography: V. Airini. Pro deo et patria. Hussars of Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1500 – 1673. 2013.
START PRICE 5500 EUR. ESTIMATION 6500-8000 EUR.



15.00 % buyer's premium on the hammer price, VAT included