Gothic Breastplate
Unknown Artist
c. 1540
Medium
steel
Dimensions
32.4 × 31.4 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
Accession Number
1916.684
About this artwork
A breastplate is an element of armor that protects the chest and abdomen; it would have been worn with a now missing backplate. Nuremburg was one of the chief armor production centers and gained international renown; armor produced there was exported throughout Europe. It was not a coincidence that Nuremburg was known for its armor. The ore available in the region made Nuremburg an iron producing center close to the raw material needed to make a better quality and reliable product.