Half-Armor (Composed)
Unknown Artist
dated 1562 (helmet ca. 1560)
Medium
Steel, leather, copper alloy
Dimensions
Helmet (04.3.267a); H. 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm); W. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm); D. 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm); Wt. 11 lb. 3.1 oz. (5077.4 g); Wt. overall 44 lbs. (19.96 kg)
Classification
Armor for Man-1/2 Armor
Culture
German
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1904
Accession Number
04.3.267–.269
Art Historical Context
Step into the riveting world of 16th warfare with this striking *Half-Armor (Composed)*, crafted in Germany around 1562, with its helmet dating to circa 1560. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, this piece exemplifies the pinnacle of Renaissance metalworking. Half-armor protected the upper body—torso, shoulders, and arms—while leaving the legs more mobile, reflecting evolving battlefield tactics as firearms gained prominence over melee combat. Forged from steel, reinforced with leather, and accented in copper alloy, the armor showcases masterful techniques li...