Fingered Gauntlet for the Left Hand
1575/1600 with later restoration
Medium
Steel, brass, and leather
Dimensions
H.: 34.3 cm (13 1/2 in.)
Classification
suit-gauntlet
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
116608
Art Historical Context
Step into the riveting world of Renaissance armor with this *Fingered Gauntlet for the Left Hand*, a masterful piece from the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe. Crafted between 1575 and 1600, with later restorations to preserve its form, this gauntlet measures 34.3 cm in height and is made of steel, brass, and leather. As part of a full suit of armor, it exemplifies the pinnacle of 16th-century European metalworking, designed to shield the wearer's hand while allowing precise movement—its "fingered" design features individual protections for each digit, a clever e...
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...