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Chris Dobson

Master Armourer

A Pair of North Italian Gauntlets for a boy, circa 1575 (1999).

This pair of gauntlets is based upon a pair for an adult in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. By this period it was common for children to take part in tournaments, and there are a number of surviving complete armours for children for the foot combat at the barriers, for which this pair would be appropriate. Children's armours were a very ostentatious display of wealth by the parents, as the child would grow out of the armour very quickly. These gauntlets are fitted with specially-made gloves and trimmed with velvet pickadils.

Purchased by the National Army Museum, London, for their public handling collection.

Left: General view of the gauntlets.

Click on the thumbnails below to see full-size photos.