Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania

Kunz Lochner

ca. 1555; probably repainted and eye guards restored later · Steel, brass, gold, paint · Arms and Armor

This shaffron is part of an important garniture of armor for field and tournament use made for Nikolaus "the Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, prince of the empire, and grand chancellor and marshall of Lithuania––one of the wealthiest and most important nobles in Poland and Lithuania. Several elements of the garniture survive, six of which (including this one) are preserved in the Metropolitan Museum's collection. Made by the distinguished Nuremberg armorer Kunz (Konrad) Lochner, the Radziwill armor, with its overall etched design of interlaced strapwork and brilliant polychromy, is one of the most distinctive and colorful examples of the sixteenth century. (The right eye guard and portions of the left are modern restorations; the majority of the polychromy is repainted.)

Artist

Kunz Lochner

Date

ca. 1555; probably repainted and eye guards restored later

Medium

Steel, brass, gold, paint

Culture

German, Nuremberg

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1921