Detail View: The AMICA Library: Armor for Henry II of France

AMICA ID: 
MMA_.39.121
AMICA Library Year: 
2000
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Name: 
Delaune, Etienne
Creator Nationality: 
European; French
Creator Role: 
Maker
Creator Dates/Places: 
1518/19-1583
Creator Name-CRT: 
After designs by Étienne Delaune
Title: 
Armor for Henry II of France
Title Type: 
Object name
View: 
Detail
Creation Date: 
ca. 1555
Creation Start Date: 
1553
Creation End Date: 
1557
Materials and Techniques: 
Steel, embossed, blued, silvered, and gilded
Classification Term: 
Armors
Dimensions: 
H. 74 in. (188 cm), Wt. 53 lb. 4 oz. (24.2 kg)
AMICA Contributor: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 
39.121
Credit Line: 
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1939
Rights: 
Context: 

This example of one of the most elaborate and complete French parade armors retains much of its original coloring. The surfaces are covered by dense foliate scrolls inhabited by human figures and a variety of fabulous creatures that derive from Italian grotesque. The decoration includes (at the center of the breast) a Roman warrior receiving tribute arms from two kneeling females and (on the shoulders) Apollo chasing the nymph Daphne (front) and Apollo with the slain monster Python (back). The crescent moon, a badge of Henry II (r. 1547-59), is found in several places.

The design of the decoration is attributed to the Parisian goldsmith and printmaker Étienne Delaune (1518/19-1583), who served Henry II as an engraver at the royal mint. Numerous preparatory designs for this armor, many apparently in Delaune's hand, are in the Graphische Sammlung, Munich.

Related Image Identifier Link: 
MMA_.aa39.121.AV1.tif