Hi folks,

I'm new here and hope this is the right place to post this. Please pardon me if it isn't.

This breastplate has been sitting on my father's pump organ in the dinning room for at least 50 years and my mother wants to 'pass it along' but I don't know anything about it. I've searched but can't find anything like it and my father is no longer able to give any kind of help as to who, what, when, where or why. Could somebody please point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

I've added 2 more photos, in case they might help. Thank you.

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Hi Chris, could we get some pictures of the inside? Off the top of my head it looks like a mid to late 17th century breast plate that has possibly been decorated later for use as a theatrical piece. The decorative accents seem to be later than the construction of the breast plate itself.

Hi Allan,

Thank you for the reply. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that it may have been decorated since dad did do stage for many years, but I can't remember him ever picking anything up for that purpose or inheriting one.

Anyway, here is a shot of the inside. If it would help, let me know what other photo(s) you might need.

The nuts on the back all seem to be hand-made.

Chris

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Hi Allan,

Here are some close-up.

Chris

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Do you have any idea what this weights Chris?

We that weight is right for a fighting breast plate. I'm going to stick with my earlier call, breast plate, second half of 17th century with later decorative elements, possibly for theatrical or pagent use.

It has a VERY Victorian theatrical look about it, but I'm not sure why anyone would have gone to the trouble of creating and mounting that applique (creating something non-historical) for theatrical use. Why not just paint? Also, historical accuracy would not have entered into the equation. Even ostensibly scholarly Victorian writing and illustrations are filled with romantic inaccuracies.

It sort of makes me think of some sort of ceremonial Napoleonic era heavy lancers/cuirassier armour ? Just a wild guess. ;) :confused: :wtf:

The ceremonial Presidential guard's armour of some mid 19th century banana republic maybe? French Napoleon III lancers in Mexico ? If not literally these examples I think you get what I'm guessing at !

That or a movie prop, or Victorian Opera prop or decoration?