Cuirass

1700/50

French

At over 33 pounds, this shot-proof breastplate was nearly too heavy to wear. Surprisingly, this is about the same weight as the outer tactical vests (OTVs) used by the modern military.

This well-preserved cuirass was likely produced for the elite cavalry regiment known as the King’s Cuirassiers. The original blue surface contrasted against engraved and gilt bands to reference the French royal colors.

Status: On View, Gallery 239
Department: Applied Arts of Europe

Title: Cuirass
Place: France (Object made in)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: Made 1700–1750
Medium: Steel, brass, silver-gilt bradding, silk textile, and leather
Dimensions: Breastplate Wt. 16 lb. 7 oz. Backplate Wt. 16 lb. 5 oz.
Credit Line: George F. Harding Collection
Reference Number: 1982.2429a-b
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/116332/manifest.json

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.