Silver Armor Shoulder Strap Breast Plate
$2,200.00
This intriguing item may be a Spanish or Portuguese armor strap. The strap may have slung over the shoulder and hooked on to two plates of armor (front and back). The finely woven wire mail is silver as are both of the buckles. The silver would have been sourced very likely in South America.It is likely that this was meant for dress armor and not for battle armor if the identification is correct.
The buckles depict a stylized native American figure in a headdress with a bow and arrow amidst palm trees (possibly Arawak). This may also indicate a tribe of the American Southeast, Caribbean, or South American territories. The overall stylized repousse work reflects the illustrations that conquistador era artisans would have seen on maps and other prints depicting the explorations of the new world.
Condition is good with some repairs evident. One buckle has been reattached to the chain mail and the fastening bracket has been replaced. Additionally, one hook from the rear is absent. No hallmarks. I've never seen another piece like this and neither has any dealer or museum that has seen it. One of a kind museum quality piece. The identification was aided by an examination by a professional archaeologist specializing in Meso-American studies. The piece has been examined by Sotheby's in New York.
Dimensions are about 17" in length
Weight is: 262.4 grams
Please see other silver jewelry here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrescentCityConnect?section_id=16957559&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2
Or just browse around the shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/neurorocker
This intriguing item may be a Spanish or Portuguese armor strap. The strap may have slung over the shoulder and hooked on to two plates of armor (front and back). The finely woven wire mail is silver as are both of the buckles. The silver would have been sourced very likely in South America.It is likely that this was meant for dress armor and not for battle armor if the identification is correct.
The buckles depict a stylized native American figure in a headdress with a bow and arrow amidst palm trees (possibly Arawak). This may also indicate a tribe of the American Southeast, Caribbean, or South American territories. The overall stylized repousse work reflects the illustrations that conquistador era artisans would have seen on maps and other prints depicting the explorations of the new world.
Condition is good with some repairs evident. One buckle has been reattached to the chain mail and the fastening bracket has been replaced. Additionally, one hook from the rear is absent. No hallmarks. I've never seen another piece like this and neither has any dealer or museum that has seen it. One of a kind museum quality piece. The identification was aided by an examination by a professional archaeologist specializing in Meso-American studies. The piece has been examined by Sotheby's in New York.
Dimensions are about 17" in length
Weight is: 262.4 grams
Please see other silver jewelry here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrescentCityConnect?section_id=16957559&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2
Or just browse around the shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/neurorocker
This intriguing item may be a Spanish or Portuguese armor strap. The strap may have slung over the shoulder and hooked on to two plates of armor (front and back). The finely woven wire mail is silver as are both of the buckles. The silver would have been sourced very likely in South America.It is likely that this was meant for dress armor and not for battle armor if the identification is correct.
The buckles depict a stylized native American figure in a headdress with a bow and arrow amidst palm trees (possibly Arawak). This may also indicate a tribe of the American Southeast, Caribbean, or South American territories. The overall stylized repousse work reflects the illustrations that conquistador era artisans would have seen on maps and other prints depicting the explorations of the new world.
Condition is good with some repairs evident. One buckle has been reattached to the chain mail and the fastening bracket has been replaced. Additionally, one hook from the rear is absent. No hallmarks. I've never seen another piece like this and neither has any dealer or museum that has seen it. One of a kind museum quality piece. The identification was aided by an examination by a professional archaeologist specializing in Meso-American studies. The piece has been examined by Sotheby's in New York.
Dimensions are about 17" in length
Weight is: 262.4 grams
Please see other silver jewelry here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrescentCityConnect?section_id=16957559&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2
Or just browse around the shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/neurorocker