Knights in Armor features stunning masterpieces of European arms and armor, dating from the Medieval and Renaissance ages to the Romantic revival of the Medieval of the 1800s. Not only is the provocative beauty and exquisite artistic craftsmanship of the objects revealed, the figure of the knight, his code of chivalry, the arts and customs of tournaments and jousting, and his iconic sword and armor is illustrated and brought to life.
Knights in Armor features stunning masterpieces of European arms and armor, dating from the Medieval and Renaissance ages to the Romantic revival of the Medieval of the 1800s. Not only is the provocative beauty and exquisite artistic craftsmanship of the objects revealed, the figure of the knight, his code of chivalry, the arts and customs of tournaments and jousting, and his iconic sword and armor is illustrated and brought to life.
The exhibition focuses also on the romantic Gothic Revival that characterized 19th century Europe and captured the imagination of Frederick Stibbert (1838-1906) in Florence, Italy. A great fortune amassed in India by his British grandfather enabled Stibbert, an astute and sophisticated financier and collector, to dedicate his life to collecting works of art, and in particular, European armor and weaponry.
His armory is considered one of the best of Europe, if not the best still intact, ever assembled by a private citizen.
Exhibition teaser
Original artworks
Suit of Armor
Italian manufacture, Brescia
1560-1565
Steel, mail, bronze, leather, fabric
Corselet of the Papal Guards
Italian manufacture, Brescia
ca. 1590
Steel, leather, fabric
Parade Corselet
Italian manufacture, Florence
Beginning of 17th century
Steel, bronze, leather, velvet
Close Helmet
French manufactur
ca. 1590
Steel
Leg Harness
Dutch manufacture, Antwerp (?)
1580
Steel, iron mesh, leather
Greaves with Sabatons
German manufacture, Augsburg
1535
Steel
Side Sword
Hilt – Italian manufacture
Blade – Juan de Leyzade, Spanish manufacture, Toledo
1570-1580
Steel, wood
Mace with Stiletto
European manufacture
ca. 1600
Steel
Chanfron
European manufacture
Mid 16th century
Steel, leather
Exhibition views
About the exhibition
The Hosting Museum
CP and the Lender Museum
The Audience
- Size:
- :500-100 sq.mt
- Relevance and Success:
- One of the world’s most extensive and best collections of arms and armors
- Audience & Languages:
- General Public, Families, Schools English, adaptable to all languages
- Availability:
- Later October 2022 - Spring 2023
- Contents:
- +130 original objects, including: equestrian figures, full suits of armor, horse chanfrons, helmets, corselets, shields, swords, and other weaponry Interpretive Graphic Panels Modular Exhibition Design Catalogue