Armor for Field and Tournament

c. 1540/60 with later etching

Jörg T. Sorg, the Younger, after
German, Augsburg, active 1502-1542

The growing relationship between armor and costume in the 16th century is indicated in the delicately incised and etched center band with scalloped edge on this armor, which mimics the embroidered front closing of a contemporary male doublet (a close-fitted bodice). The particularly fine decoration of etched floral arabesques suggests the workmanship of the Augsburg armory, perhaps of Jörg T. Sorg. The elements of this armor are from the same garniture—multiple matching pieces of armor that could convert a basic suit into various field or sporting armors. Perforations on the breastplate are for bolting a shock-absorbing lance rest in place and reinforcing plate armor for sporting events. When approaching an opponent, the latch door on the helmet would be closed for protection, whereas in more casual times, the door would be opened for air circulation.

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

Artist: Jörg T. Sorg, the Younger
Title: Armor for Field and Tournament
Place: Augsburg (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 1530–1570
Medium: Steel with gilding, iron, brass, leather, and cord
Dimensions: H.: 185.4 cm (73 in.)
Credit Line: George F. Harding Collection
Reference Number: 1982.2411a-r
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/118551/manifest.json

Walter Karchieski, “Arms and Armor in the Art Institute of Chicago” (Art Institute of Chicago/Little, Brown, and Company, 1995), p. 42 (ill.)
Cover of the Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 9/1931, vol. 26.

Victoria and Albert Museum, 1925.
Loan exhibition, Metropoliltan Museum of Art, 1931.
Art Institute of Chicago, 1971.
On exhibition, Harding Museum, Nov. 28, 1975.

George F. Harding, Jr. (died 1939), Chicago; bequeathed to the George F. Harding Museum, Chicago; transferred to the Art Institute, 1982.

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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.