Composite Armor

Jörg Wagner

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The elements constituting this armor bear the marks of different armorers, all of whom were active in Innsbruck in the 1480s and 1490s. The sallet is by Jörg Wagner (recorded 1485–92), the breastplate and backplate are by Hans Prunner (recorded 1482–99), and the rondel by Kaspar Riederer (active 1455–99). The elbow bears an effaced Innsbruck-style mark, while the left gauntlet is unmarked but of an Innsbruck type. The armorers of Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol, thrived under the patronage of the Habsburg court and produced armor that was internationally renowned for the strength of its steel and the beauty of its form. Located near the border between Austria and Italy, this center created armor that reflected the influence of north and south, combining the elongated and spiky German Gothic style with the rounded and more robust forms preferred in Renaissance Italy.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art