Armor for Field and Tournament
Unknown Artist
ca. 1575–80
Medium
Steel, gold, silver, leather, textile
Dimensions
H. 71 1/2 in. (181.61 cm); Wt. 52 lb. 4 oz. (23.7 kg)
Classification
Armor for Man
Culture
Italian, probably Milan
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Accession Number
42.50.27a–n
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of Renaissance chivalry with *Armor for Field and Tournament a masterful creation from Italy, likely Milan, around 1575–80. Crafted by an unknown artisan during the late Renaissance, this full suit was designed for both battlefield combat and the grandeur of jousting tournaments. Milan was Europe's premier armor-making hub, renowned for producing elite gear that blended deadly functionality with opulent display, reflecting the era's fusion of warfare and pageantry. Forged primarily from steel, the armor is embellished with gold, silver, leather, and textile accents, showca...