T-29 Prototype Right Thigh and Knee Defense ( Poleyn)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop|Leonard Heinrich|Stephen V. Grancsay

1944 · Steel, textile, metal alloy · Arms and Armor

Comprised of four shaped steel plates, unpolished and rough from the hammer, made to cover he area at the base of the right thigh, all of the knee, and the upper shin just below the knee. The knee piece is in the form of a typical 16th century knee defense, or poleyn, with a side wing extending away from the outer edge. There are two canvas straps and buckles on the knee piece and the plate below. The latter plate has six holes arranged in a vertical row in its center, the lowest four holes being lined with grommets, and intended to engage a stud or pin fixture on the center top of the matching greave (also T-29). A cloth tag attached to one of the straps reads: "Thigh + knee defense/ T-29/ designed by Mr. Granscay at Met Art Museum 6-24-44." A paper tag reads: "#22 GROIN/ ENGINEERS/ THIGH + KNEE." This knee defense was probably made by Leonard Heinrich in the Armor Shop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art under the direction of Stephen V. Granscay. See the related abdomen, groin and thigh defense, T-31, and greave, T-29.

Artist

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop|Leonard Heinrich|Stephen V. Grancsay

Date

1944

Medium

Steel, textile, metal alloy

Culture

American, New York

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1944; Museum Accession, 2016