Peytral Plates
Unknown Artist
early 16th century
Medium
Leather, gesso, metal
Dimensions
left: 24 1/2 x 18 3/8 in. (62.2 x 46.7 cm); Wt. 2 lb. (907 g); right: 25 3/8 x 15 3/4 in. (64.4 x 42.6 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 15 oz. (876 g)
Classification
Armor for Horse
Culture
Possibly Flemish or German
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Henry G. Keasbey, 1926
Accession Number
26.235.2–.3
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of Renaissance chivalry with the *Peytral Plates*, a pair of protective chest guards for warhorses from the early 16th century. Likely crafted in Flemish or German workshops, these plates formed the front peytral of horse barding—elaborate armor ensembles that turned steeds into armored knights' noble companions. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, they were generously gifted by Henry G. Keasbey in 1926. Crafted from leather reinforced with gesso—a plaster-like ground often used for gilding or painting—and accented with metal, these pie...