Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 3).djvu/292

 triangular space, etched and gilt, is a representation of the Holy Trinity on a nimbus. The decoration on the back of the gorget and the arms is similar to that of the other pieces. Before this half suit came into the Riggs Collection it was in that of the Baron de Cosson.

German (Nuremberg), first quarter of the XVIth century. Ex collections: Lord Stafford at Costessey Hall, Norfolk, Baron de Cosson, and the late Mr. Rutherford Stuyvesant. Now on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of New York

When we consider the German type of this channelled Maximilian armour we can find no more complete or illustrative example than that very fine suit which came originally from the armoury of Lord Stafford at Costessey Hall, and which was sold at Christie's in May 1885 (Fig. 1036). It was purchased by the Baron de Cosson, afterwards passing into the collection of the late Mr. Rutherford Stuyvesant. It is now on loan at the Metropolitan Museum, New York. Of Nuremberg make, it bears on several of its pieces the mark of its armourer, the letters surmounted by a demi-lion. It is one of the finest fluted German suits to be seen, complete in every respect, and, what is rare in suits of this time, it is absolutely free from restoration of any kind. It also presents several features of peculiar interest, such as the semi-Gothic breastplate formed of two pieces, decorated with graceful openwork tracery after the fashion of armour