A Rare German Composite 'Maximilian' Full Armour, comprehensively Circa 1515-25

Lot No: 167. Composed of elements of good quality and comprising close-helmet with well-formed fluted skull with bold central comb flanked by four widely-spaced shallower knurled combs, later bevor pivoted at the same point as the visor and shaped to the chin and face, four-pointed 'bellows' visor with two vision and ten ventilation slits, and lifting-peg and locking hook engaging with a staple on the right, rear neck-guard of two plates (one replaced), and rear plume-holder engraved with spiral lines, gorget of four plates front and rear, hinged together and secured by a catch on the right, the top flanged to engage with a turn on the lower edge of a helmet, and later extension plates over the points of the shoulders carrying hinged peg-attachments for the spaudlers, heavy rounded breast-plate with bold roped turn at the top, moveable gussets en suite, and hinged curved lance-rest, fauld of four plates and short tassets of four plates each, back-plate en suite and linked by a waist-plate to a culet of four plates, later spaudlers of four plates each linked to vambraces with laminations protecting the inner elbow-joints, and detachable heart-shaped side-wings, two circular besagews, mitten gauntlets, and full leg harness including heart-shaped side-wings and articulated 'bear-paw' sabatons, the detachable greaves each hinged on one side and slotted for spurs (missing), the right cuisse struck with a Nuremberg mark, fluted and engraved with pairs of lines throughout, the main edges variously roped and plain: on a wooden stand mounted on a wooden plinth. Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000

Footnote: It is rare to find a composite armour of this period composed of so many entirely authentic pieces.

Bonhams. Fine Antique Arms & Armour from the Henk L. Visser Collection, 28 Nov 2007. Knightsbridge - www.bonhams.com