[Michael B.]

After a couple years of putting my soft kit, and armour together, I've decided to start dialing my collection to the turn of the century, 1490-1510. Most of my harness right now is built by Mercenary's Tailor, with my helm from Armour and Castings. It is currently a white harness, but I'm looking for something...different. There are many many threads on painted armour, and black sallets in the forum here, but other than helms I'm not finding anything from that time period related to the armour. Where could I find pictures (paintings) of textile covered or painted armour? I have scene the many pictures of the black sallets, but the surviving armour that's been shown seems to be mid 1500's to the 1600's, with some textile covered armour from early 15th. A bit later or earlier than I'm aiming for. Could anyone shed some light on armour decoration during those two decades? Any european country will work at this point. Many thanks.

This is the closet I've gotten for a surviving piece other than the helms. (photo credit unknown, if it's yours, please speak up, thanks)



And I really like the brass edging on these located in the Wallace Collection

[Chad Arnow]

Michael,
There is speculation that the painted harness may have been painted after its working life. But it's a nifty-looking piece.

[Sean Flynt]

Just noticed for the first time that the painted harness is holding a chopped "Lucerne" hammer, which is a strange length for that weapon.

[JG Elmslie]

[Michael B.]

@ Chad: I agree, I like seeing non-white harness

@ Sean: I kinda figured you would point the hammer out because of your new project.

@ JG: Good to know, I just like to be careful.

Also, my bad, Nathan Johnson looks like he was seeking the same thing in this post http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=18604 but I glanced over it because the main focus shifted to the HELMS. But his original post indicated harness too. So, I'll just pop on over there so we don't have a double thread. Thanks.

[Harry J. Fletcher]

Michael,

I personally like armour in the white but have seen cloth covered armour of royalty which looks like they are not wearing armour at all. Nice concept if you want to go to the expense. Just make it "rock proof."

Harry