Field Armor
Unknown Artist
ca. 1525; left arm defense, 19th century; rondels, 1923
Medium
Steel, leather
Dimensions
H. 67 in. (170.2 cm); Wt. 49 lb. (22.23 kg); Wt. of helmet 7 lb. 4 oz. (3289 g)
Classification
Armor for Man
Culture
German, Nuremberg
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1904
Accession Number
04.3.289
Art Historical Context
This striking Field Armor, originating from Nuremberg, Germany, around 1525, represents the height of early 16th craftsmanship in protective gear for battlefield use. Standing 67 inches (170.2 cm) tall and a formidable 49 pounds (.23 kg)—with the helmet alone at 7 pounds 4 ounces (3,289 g)—it was tailored for a mounted warrior, providing comprehensive defense from head to toe. Nuremberg's armorers were renowned for their precision engineering, producing pieces that balanced mobility with impenetrable steel protection. Crafted primarily from steel and leather, the armor highlights advanced for...