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Image for Composite Armor for a Boy
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Composite Armor for a Boy

German (Artist)
French (Artist)
1580-1620, with later additions
steel, gilded copper alloy, leather (assembled and etched in the 1800s)
(Baroque Europe , Arms and Armor )

From childhood, sons of noblemen might join in ceremonial occasions for which armor was required. Appearing with adult male relatives signaled dynastic continuity and acceptance of a moral code and responsibilities. At a tournament organized in 1560 by Archduke Maximilian (future emperor) for his father Emperor Ferdinand, 8-year-old Rudolf (Maximilian's heir and a future emperor) appeared in armor, "competing" in sword events with his father and other male relatives.

This armor consists of pieces dating to the late 1500s and early 1600s from different sources. They were assembled in the mid-1800s with replacements added for missing parts. The same decorative detailing was etched on all the pieces to harmonize them.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
3/17/1981 Examination examined for condition
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Geographies

France (Place of Origin) Germany (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 50 in. (127 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by Henry Walters

Location in Museum

Charles Street: Second Floor: Arms and Armor

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

51.590

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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