Breastplate from Hussar's Cuirass, c. 1580. This style of breastplate, with its numerous articulating lames, was probably used by a Hungarian hussar, a type of light cavalryman. The steel plates were originally blued-now turned russet-and etched and gilded with strapwork bands. The rows of vertical holes once provided gilt-brass settings for stones or glasspaste jewels. The effect would have suggested the semi-oriental costume and armor of the Near East favored by Polish and Hungarian armies of the late Renaissance.

---

Size: 1536px × 1889px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 16th, armor, arms, art, augsburg, bands, blued, century, cleveland, etched, germany, gilded, heritage, hungary, museum, originally, russet, steel, strapwork, unknown