Codpiece
1550/70
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
14 × 10.2 × 7.6 cm (5 1/2 × 4 × 3 in.)
Classification
suit-element
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
116636
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Though a strange fashion to us today, the codpiece was commonly used to garb the male groin throughout Europe in the 16th century. In clothing they might be stuffed or used as a pouch or pocket in which items were kept. In steel, they were worn only for use on foot, as they would have caused discomfort when riding, and therefore were designed to be detachable. The spring-loaded pin at the top passed through a hole at the crotch of the breastplate from which it suspended.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...