Elements of a Half Armor for Foot Tournament at the Barriers
c. 1590
Steel, brass, and leather
SEE IT IN PERSON
● On view now — Gallery 239
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026
Discussion
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
The girth of this half armor was tailored to fit a large adult for use in a foot tournament. In this engagement participants hit each other with blunted swords or pikes. Strikes below the waist were prohibited, and a barrier protected the lower body. A now lost helmet and pair of gauntlets would have completed this armor.
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