Fig. 35.—Suit by Lucio Piccinino, of Milan.
SUIT AT NAWORTH CASTLE.
This suit is very rich and handsome, being freely engraved and inlaid with gold—the gilding has, however, greatly worn off. The ornamentation is somewhat rude, both in character and in execution, and vastly inferior to either Italian or German work. The cuirass is ornamented with a “George” badge on either side, indicating a knight of the Garter, the execution of which is good. The genouillières are attachable to the jambs by reversible catches, which pass through the plate—they are the same catches as shown on the Osuna harness. There is a tapul and garde-de-reine. The sollerets are square-toed, but very narrow, not “bear-paw” like the “Maximilian.” The Earl of Carlisle suggests the possibility that the harness may have belonged to the last Lord Dacre, who died in 1566. This would, of course, point to an even earlier date of make, but this seems incompatible with the general aspect of the suit, which would appear to date from late in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Fig. 36.—Repoussé Armour at Berlin.
SUIT FROM THE COLLECTION OF PRINCE CARL OF PRUSSIA, NOW IN THE ZEUGHAUS AT BERLIN.
This beautiful suit ([Fig. 36]), decorated in repoussé work in very high relief, dates about the close of the sixteenth century, and the ornamentation is instructive as well as artistic in the classical battle-scene and details it depicts. The mitten gauntlet, with expanded cuff, is very fine. The ridge over the knuckles is bold, and smaller ridges continue to the finger tips.
THE OSUNA SUIT.
This is highly characteristic of the period it represents. The armour is freely ornamented in repoussé or hammered work, and bears traces of gilding. The suit was probably made in Italy, is very handsome, and has seen much service. Being well authenticated, it has a special interest. The suit belonged to Don Pedro Fellez de Giron, Duke of Osuna and Infantado, Knight of the Black Eagle Order, etc., Viceroy of Sicily about 1600, and later of Naples (about 1610). It was saved from the fire at the old De Giron family seat in Belgium—the castle of Beauraing, in the Province of Namur, not far from Dinant. The place was burnt on the 3rd December, 1890.