292 - Maximilian Articulated Steel Plate Armour Tassets. Germany, circa early 16th century A.D. Comprising: a curved panel with a rolled rim, horizontal carinated bands and median bowed band with diagonal slash detailing, fluted lower edge with holes for articulating rivets; group of three plates with vertical fluting, with sliding rivets providing articulation; with matching '1.306' reference numbers. Cf. Edge, D. & Paddock, J.M., Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight, London, 1988; Terjanian, P., The Last Knight - The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximilian I, New York, 2019; cf. similar pieces of armour in Lanzardo, D., Il convitato di ferro (the iron guest), in Italian, Torino, 1987, figs.47,48,59. 424 grams total, 22.3-24.5 cm (8 3/4 - 9 5/8 in.). [2]

Maximilian Articulated Steel Plate Armour Tassets. Germany, circa early 16th century A.D. Comprising: a curved panel with a rolled rim, horizontal carinated bands and median bowed band with diagonal slash detailing, fluted lower edge with holes for articulating rivets; group of three plates with vertical fluting, with sliding rivets providing articulation; with matching '1.306' reference numbers. Cf. Edge, D. & Paddock, J.M., Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight, London, 1988; Terjanian, P., The Last Knight - The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximilian I, New York, 2019; cf. similar pieces of armour in Lanzardo, D., Il convitato di ferro (the iron guest), in Italian, Torino, 1987, figs.47,48,59. 424 grams total, 22.3-24.5 cm (8 3/4 - 9 5/8 in.). [2] Acquired on the UK art market. From a gentleman's collection from East Sussex, UK. The matched reference numbers could indicate that the pieces came from the same harness. One piece appears to be a piece of a tasset a thigh defence. The embossed band is imitating the fashionable puffed and slashed textile garments seen on 16th-century armour. Sixteenth-century armour often imitated textile fashions in their form and decorative elements. The second piece may be a tasset. The incised lines for the fluting on the exterior surface appear to be of more mechanical manufacture, as do the slot for the sliding rivet and the empty rivet hole on one side. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.