Left Arm Elements from a Boy's Armor (Lower Cannon, Couter, Rerebrace)
Unknown Artist
c. 1560 (some modern)
Medium
etched and lightly embossed steel with traces of gilding, leather
Dimensions
w. 17 cm, l. 43.5 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
Accession Number
1916.708
About this artwork
These elements once belonged to a full suit of armor that would have been made for a young boy. Decorated with etching, embossing, and gilding, the original suit would have been impressive. Dressing your sons in small custom suits of armor was popular with the wealthiest nobles. They would have been worn for parades and ceremonial occasions and once outgrown were often kept as mementos. Made for the left arm, the rerebrace or upper cannon protected the upper arm, the couter the elbow, and the lo...