SOME ARMOUR-SMITHS OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
The armour-smiths who stand out prominently during this period are
the Negrolis of Milan, who have already been referred to, the later
Kolmans of Augsburg, and the Seusenhofers of Innsbruck. An example by
Koloman Kolman, son of Lorenz, may be seen at the Armeria Real, Madrid
(Catálogo No. A65), in a harness made for Charles V. Tuilles are here
replaced by tassets, and the figure has a “stechtarche” or tournament
shield at the shoulder. Another example, in a noble unfluted suit, is
at Vienna. It was made for Count Andreas von Sonnenberg about 1506,
and has been already referred to. Desiderius, son of Koloman, also
turned out work of the highest character. A specimen of his handiwork
is in the Madrid collection. The Kolman’s mark is an armet surmounted
by a cross, with the Augsburg armour-smiths’ guild badge. Very little
is known concerning the work of Hans Seusenhofer of Innsbruck, beyond
the curious “piped” harness at Vienna, made for the Emperor Charles V.
when a youth. We have an example of that of his brother Conrad in the
exquisite mounted suit, with lamboys, in the Tower of London, made by
order of the Emperor Maximilian I., and presented by him to Henry VIII.
The date is 1514, and it is chastely engraved with the cognizances of
the king, and of his consort Katharine of Arragon. The general theme
of the ornamentation throughout is the legend of St. George. The suit
is referred to by Viscount Dillon in the _Archæologia_, vol. li. The
armourer’s mark is on the helmet, and the suit has been originally
silvered over. Jörg Seusenhofer, son of Hans, worthily closes the
line; specimens of his work are at the Musée d’Artillerie, Paris,
and there is a splendidly enriched harness at Vienna made for the
Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol, about 1547. The collection at the Königl.
Zeughaus, Berlin, is in possession of a fine example by this master
in a suit made for Francis I. of France. It is engraved and gilded
in the French style, evidently in compliment to the King, or by his
orders. The breastplate exhibits an early instance of the “peascod.”
The leg armour and sollerets are palpable “restorations.” Other
examples by this master are given under the heading “Enriched Armour.”
The engraving for this suit was done by Hans Perckhamer. Another
celebrated armour-smith, who worked under the Emperor Maximilian II.,
is M. Frauenpreis of Augsburg, of whose work an admirable specimen with
lamboys, which has been already referred to, exists at Vienna.