VERY FINE, SUPERBLY ETCHED, COMPLETE SUIT OF ARMOR AFTER THE ORIGINAL MADE FOR JOACHIM II, ELECTOR OF BRANDENBURG, CIRCA 1850 BY AN UNIDENTIFIED GERMAN MASTER ARMORER.

This armor is exceptionally well made by a master armorer for a wealthy patron. The original which was in the Berlin Museum is now missing and presumed to be destroyed or in Russia. The armor consists of a close helmet ostensibly of one piece with low roped comb, visor with hinged trap and lifting stud, bevor, gorget of four plates, bulbous breastplate with movable gussets, tassets of four plates, hinged lance rest, and shaped backplate. The arms are complete with right and left pauldron, upper and lower cannons, couters with wings, and gauntlets with gently pointed cuffs and fingers (missing). The leg armor consists of cuisses of one piece, poleyns with small wings, greaves of two plates, and sabatons with spatulate toes. The entire armor is superbly etched with winged angel heads, royal figures carrying tridents, helmeted hermaphrodites, winged eagles, and most significantly on the breastplate the royal arms of the Elector of Brandenburg all on a blackened ground. The outstanding richness of the etched decoration is enhanced by extensive use of brass headed rivets. The thickness of the steel is that of the period 1530 and the armor is articulated so that it could be worn either on the battlefield, the lists, or on parade. The maker’s mark PVS and a date 1560 appears as part of the etched decoration. As the Elector Joachim II died in 1535 there is the exciting possibility that this armor is something other than a copy of the Elector’s armor. There are traces of gilding in the etching. This armor and another sold in the 1983 dispersal of Hever Castle, Lot 52, from the Collection of Prince von Hohenlohe represent an enigma to students of armor, even those as respected as the late Dr. John Hayward who cataloged the Hever Collection. Though the condition of both points to a post Renaissance period and are likely the work of the Imperial Armorers of the Kaiserliche Hofplattnerei in Vienna during the second quarter of the 19th century, they could be earlier. The Hever armor sold for 26,000 Pounds in 1983 and was bought by Karsten von Klingbiel. It was resold in 2011 at Pierre Berge in Belgium for 85,000 Euros hammer price. PROVENANCE: Thomas Brady. CONDITION: The condition of this armor is excellent with clean, polished surfaces, crisp etching, and little wear. The gauntlets are not a pair and the left gauntlet is plain. The fingers are missing from the right gauntlet and the left has several missing as well. Overall this is a lovely armor of excellent quality throughout and if of the period would be unobtainable. It is a lovely, striking piece that will be the focal point of even the most advanced collection of arms and armor. 4-51982 (65,000-85,000) – Lot 2157

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2157	$0.00	VERY FINE, SUPERBLY ETCHED, COMPLETE SUIT OF ARMOR AFTER THE ORIGINAL MADE FOR JOACHIM II, ELECTOR OF BRANDENBURG, CIRCA 1850 BY AN UNIDENTIFIED GERMAN MASTER ARMORER. This armor is exceptionally well made by a master armorer for a wealthy patron. The original which was in the Berlin Museum is now missing and presumed to be destroyed or in Russia. The armor consists of a close helmet ostensibly of one piece with low roped comb, visor with hinged trap and lifting stud, bevor, gorget of four plates, bulbous breastplate with movable gussets, tassets of four plates, hinged lance rest, and shaped backplate. The arms are complete with right and left pauldron, upper and lower cannons, couters with wings, and gauntlets with gently pointed cuffs and fingers (missing). The leg armor consists of cuisses of one piece, poleyns with small wings, greaves of two plates, and sabatons with spatulate toes. The entire armor is superbly etched with winged angel heads, royal figures carrying tridents, helmeted hermaphrodites, winged eagles, and most significantly on the breastplate the royal arms of the Elector of Brandenburg all on a blackened ground. The outstanding richness of the etched decoration is enhanced by extensive use of brass headed rivets. The thickness of the steel is that of the period 1530 and the armor is articulated so that it could be worn either on the battlefield, the lists, or on parade. The maker’s mark PVS and a date 1560 appears as part of the etched decoration. As the Elector Joachim II died in 1535 there is the exciting possibility that this armor is something other than a copy of the Elector’s armor. There are traces of gilding in the etching. This armor and another sold in the 1983 dispersal of Hever Castle, Lot 52, from the Collection of Prince von Hohenlohe represent an enigma to students of armor, even those as respected as the late Dr. John Hayward who cataloged the Hever Collection. Though the condition of both points to a post Renaissance period and are likely the work of the Imperial Armorers of the Kaiserliche Hofplattnerei in Vienna during the second quarter of the 19th century, they could be earlier. The Hever armor sold for 26,000 Pounds in 1983 and was bought by Karsten von Klingbiel. It was resold in 2011 at Pierre Berge in Belgium for 85,000 Euros hammer price. PROVENANCE: Thomas Brady. CONDITION: The condition of this armor is excellent with clean, polished surfaces, crisp etching, and little wear. The gauntlets are not a pair and the left gauntlet is plain. The fingers are missing from the right gauntlet and the left has several missing as well. Overall this is a lovely armor of excellent quality throughout and if of the period would be unobtainable. It is a lovely, striking piece that will be the focal point of even the most advanced collection of arms and armor. 4-51982 (65,000-85,000) – Lot 2157 Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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VERY FINE, SUPERBLY ETCHED, COMPLETE SUIT OF ARMOR AFTER THE ORIGINAL MADE FOR JOACHIM II, ELECTOR OF BRANDENBURG, CIRCA 1850 BY AN UNIDENTIFIED GERMAN MASTER ARMORER.