Knights in Armor
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.
Themes
- Introducing the Knight
- Tournaments and Jousting
- A Knight’s Armory
- Gothic Revival of the 1800s
Contents
- +130 original objects, including: equestrian figures
- Full suits of armor
- Horse chanfrons
- Helmets, corselets
- Shields, swords, and other weaponry
Relevance
One of the world’s most extensive and best collections of arms and armors
Size
500-1000 sq.mt
Exhibition Views
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
Mace with Stiletto
European manufacture
ca. 1600
Steel
Chanfron
European manufacture
Mid 16th century
Steel, leather
Side Sword
Hilt – Italian manufacture
Blade – Juan de Leyzade, Spanish manufacture, Toledo
1570-1580
Steel, wood
Greaves with Sabatons
German manufacture, Augsburg
1535
Steel
Leg Harness
Dutch manufacture, Antwerp (?)
1580
Steel, iron mesh, leather
Close Helmet
French manufacture
ca. 1590
Steel