THE VAMBRACES, FAULD AND TASSETS: ATTRIBUTED TO LORENZ (ACTIVE 1467-1515) AND JÖRG HELMSCHMIED (ACTIVE 1467-1504), AUGSBURG, CIRCA 1495; THE BACKPLATE, BREASTPLATE AND LANCE-REST: ATTRIBUTED TO KONRAD POLER (ACTIVE CIRCA 1492-1500), NUREMBERG, CIRCA 1495; THE LEFT BESAGUE AND WAIST-LAME: SOUTH GERMAN, CIRCA 1495; THE HELMET: SOUTH GERMAN, PROBABLY CIRCA 1495 | A rare composite Armour for the Jousts of Peace (or Stechzeug for the Gestech)

the waist-plate struck with several royal Saxon ownership marks 

Overall the condition of the armour is good, with some wear to the surface consistent with age. There is light patination and pitting to the surface throughout. There are also nicks and dents, consistent with use and wear. The front of the helm and the besague are each marked with numerous pits and gouges resulting from the impact of opponents’ lance-tips. The armour is a composite and, as can be expected, some of its elements have been partially restored and modified. There is a later extension plate attached to the front of the helmet that protrudes about an inch beyond its later-cut, straight lower end. The lower end of the extension plate is pierced with a horizontal line of three large holes to accommodate the screws that secure it to the underlying breastplate. The holes have been filed out, subsequent to manufacture, to a slightly oval form to better align them with the holes of the breastplate. The turn of the right arm-opening of the breastplate has been removed. A crack in that arm-opening has been repaired with an old internal patch. The left shoulder-hasp is restored. The screws that secure the helm to the breastplate are replacements. The upper screw attaching the lance-rest to the breastplate is restored. Although the proximal ends of the hinges that connect the backplate to the breastplate are in each case original, their distal ends are restored. Three of the screws securing the abdominal plate to the lower edge of the breastplate are restored. The screw which attaches the associated waist-plate to the breastplate is also restored. The waist-lame has been adapted to the breastplate by reshaping and cutting its right side, and by elongating the hole that receives the screw for its attachment. The cusps of the tassets have been reduced in height. The tassets have been reduced in length subsequent to manufacture by removing lames from both of their upper ends, from between the second and third lames and the fifth and sixth lames of the left one, and between the first and second and the fourth and fifth lames of the right one. The screw at the right of the backplate is restored. Attached by a horizontal line of three rivets within the lower edge of the backplate is a restored, narrow tail-piece. A lame has been removed between the sixth and seventh lames of the left pauldron. The outer ends of the lowest lame of the couter have been slightly reshaped to better fit the manifer to which it is attached by means of three transversely sliding rivets. The rear rivet has been moved and the slot in which it is accommodated, lengthened. The straps, buckles, and several rivets of the armour have been replaced in its history, which is consistent with use and age. (This condition report is partially based on the report on the armour by Ian Eaves, M.V.O., F.S.A., which is available from Sotheby’s upon request.) The armour is sold with a black painted metal stand. The overall height of the stand with the assembled armour is approx. 186cm., 73in.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."