Art Institute of Chicago

Gorget

German

Date

1620/50

Medium

Steel, brass, gilding, and leather

Culture

Germany

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Light cavalrymen and officers on foot increasingly wore large gorgets in place of full breast and backplates. Often paired with a heavy buff-leather coat, these effectively protected the wearer’s neck and heart from heavy sword cuts or thrusts. This well-preserved example retains its original blue-black finish and leather lining.

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