Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)

Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)

Desiderius Helmschmid

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The armor garniture to which these gauntlets belong is now divided between the Real Armería in Madrid and the former imperial armory in Vienna.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.