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 date was the so-called Maximilian style invented? A drawing which we have already reproduced (Fig. 1017), dated 1510, and preserved in the Kupferstich-Kabinett, appears to be a sketch of an armour made for the Emperor Maximilian, which shows that at that date it possessed all the essential features of Maximilian armour, although it still retained gauntlets with pointed cuffs. But in a portrait of the Emperor, engraved by Hans Burgkmaier and dated 1518, the Maximilian armour appears grooved and perfected as one sees it so frequently in the museums of Europe. No document of the end of the XVth century is known in which the Maximilian type of armour is described. It is, therefore, probable that after a short transitional period this style of armour was introduced about 1510. It is distinguished by a very convex breastplate, mitten gauntlets generally rectangular in form, sollerets with broad toe-caps, and pauldrons so different from the old Gothic type (Figs. 1029, a, b). From that date onwards it finally replaced the so-called Gothic harnesses of the latter part of the XVth century. Thus, we have the plain suit, the fluted suit, and the grotesque suit—the latter either plain or fluted—all coming under the heading of the Maximilian order.

Early XVIth century bearing the marks of one of the Seusenhofer family Collection: Mr. S. J. Whawell

Suits of the robust Maximilian type which have an unchannelled surface are practically contemporary with fluted Maximilian suits. To Vienna we turn first for an excellent illustration of an unchannelled harness, an example which from our knowledge about its original owner, the Count Andreas von Sonnenburg, we can place within the first fifteen years of the XVIth century (Fig. 1030). Here is a suit of superb workmanship, with recessed radiating bands on the elbow-cops and on the broad toe-caps. These are etched and gilded, as are the bands that surround the edge of the plates generally. This suit may be safely considered to be the work of Koloman