Discussion: This finely decorated armor is almost certainly worn by a high-ranking officer or perhaps a wealthy person.  The decline of armor began around the middle of the 16th century. Protective defensive armor came to a screeching end around 1640. Most attribute this to the invention of the gun, which became much more common on the battlefield toward the end of the 16th century. After 1550, the quality of gunpowder reached such a high level that it now gave gunsmiths an advantage over armorers.

Description: Constructed with a rounded skull joined along the crest with an exceptionally high-file decorated, roped medial comb, which projects forward at the brow to a broad, acutely pointed integral visor-shaped peak and rearwards at the nape to a matching, integrally constructed neck guard. It is fitted at each side with a hinged cheekpiece and flanging outwards at the rear of its lower edge to serve as a continuation of the neck guard. The main edges of the helmet are formed with notched inward turns, and its surfaces, a gorget of two lames, front and rear; a breastplate formed in the peascod fashion, fitted at its arm openings with fixed gussets and flanged outward at its lower edge to receive a fauld of one lame carrying a tasset, the left of four lames and the right of four lames; a one-piece backplate with broad, shallow neck opening and flanged lower edge to accommodate a culet; two large, somewhat square pauldrons, each formed of seven lames, The gauntlets have fingers attached by rivets. The thumb was attached with a hinge. However, from 1600 to 1620, some Italian variants were attached by a sliding rivet. The metacarpal (back of the hand) was composed of lames followed by a long cuff that flared outward at the opening.

Elbow-length gauntlets were popular but sometimes only worn on the left hand. The gauntlets extended slightly past the elbow, and protection was reinforced with oval-shaped mail shirts. An attribution to St. Jerome, possibly later on the breastplate upper left corner, the armor decorated en suite with gilding at the edges on a very dark blue/black armor, mounted elegantly on an antique pedestal.

Bluing: A dark blue/purplish finish created by an even oxidized layer and the reflection of the metal below the oxide layer. This finish is obtained by heating the metal at about 220°C–330°C. Bluing is very elegant and hides rust well. When climate control was not optimal for armor, this was a good option for preserving the armor during the Middle Ages.

Mercury Gilding: The process of applying a gold finish to the metal. A gilded (gold) finish attaches to metal when heated. For the gold to attach, it must become a paste solution with mercury, called amalgam. The amalgam is applied to the surface to be decorated and gently heated until the mercury evaporates, leaving the gold embedded in the metal. Since iron/steel does not form an amalgam, iron/ steel has to be dipped in a copper sulfate solution (coppering) for the gilding to attach.

Provenance: The Princely Armory at Sigmaringen Castle. Sigmaringen Castle started secretly disposing of the content of its armory after WWII. The first castle at Sigmaringen appeared during the end of the Early Middle Ages, during the early 11th century. In 1539 there was a fire that damaged the castle. Sigmaringen Castle (German: Schloss Sigmaringen) was the princely castle and seat of government for the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Situated in the Swabian Alb region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In 1539 there was a fire that damaged the castle. Sigmaringen Castle (German: Schloss Sigmaringen) was the princely castle and seat of government for the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Situated in the Swabian Alb region of Baden-Warttemberg, Germany.

Literature: See page 196 in my book.

Conclusion: Priced to sell quickly. This armor is much more impressive in person than in pictures. ACT-KNOW, this one will sell fast!!!*