"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)

c. 1580
Overall: 47.6 x 29.6 x 25.7 cm (18 3/4 x 11 5/8 x 10 1/8 in.)
Weight: 4.96 kg (10.93 lbs.)
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Did You Know?

While it would provide some protection to the torso, the armor here is very light; fashion not function was the prerequisite.

Description

This cuirass is a specialized type of costume armor. In addition to protecting its owner's torso, it was clearly intended to simulate a civilian jacket, or doublet, with a row of buttons down the front. The owner would have opened it like an ordinary doublet since the two halves are hinged to a narrow backplate.
"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)

"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)

c. 1580

North Italy, 16th century

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