A COMPOSITE DUTCH PIKEMAN'S ARMOUR, CIRCA 1630 comprising pot with hemispherical crown (slightly

A COMPOSITE DUTCH PIKEMAN'S ARMOUR, CIRCA 1630 comprising pot with hemispherical crown (slightly dented at either side) formed in two pieces joined medially along a low comb and fitted at the nape with plume-holder retaining significant traces of gilding, integral brim turned down at each side and obtusely pointed front and rear, one-piece breastplate of vestigial 'peascod' form fitted at each side of the chest with a small stud (replaced) for the attachment of a shoulder-strap, struck at the neck with the crowned IR government ownership mark of the time of James II , and flanged outwards at its lower edge to form an integral fauld bearing at either side a pair of pierced studs (replaced) to receive the hinges of a pair of pendant tassets, the hinges fitted at their upper ends with swivel-hooks and tapering at their lower ends to trefoil terminals, the one-piece tassets of trapezoidal form each embossed to simulate six lames, and one-piece backplate flanged outwards at its lower edge and fitted with scaled shoulder-straps and waist-belt (the terminal scale of each of the former and the whole of the latter replaced), its neck-opening struck with the same mark as that of the breastplate, the main edges of the armour decorated with plain inward turns accompanied by incised lines, except on the tassets where they are accompanied by recessed borders, the backplate additionally decorated with a medial incised line, the tassets with vertical columns rivets and pairs of incised lines (much rubbed) at the upper borders of their simulated lames, the surfaces of the armour retaining much of their black finish (extensively pitted, russeted and refreshed), stand not included The armour can be compared with one in the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, Inv. No. II. 165 (Blackmore 1990, fig. 77). Armours of this kind are featured in the works of the contemporary military writers J. Bingham, 1616, and Henry Hexam, 1642 (ibid. figs 75 & 95). For the latter see lot 147.