• Height:
  66 Inches
• Period:
  19th Century
• Origin:
  Other Europe

This extraordinary and complete set of armor is a fine 19th-century revival of German Maximilian armor. Fitted for both man and his steed, this armor was actually used for jousting tournaments during the mid-19th century, and is in fine working condition. This style suit was originally created for the Emperor Maximilian I, who requested a stronger armor, that would not sacrifice flexibility and maneuverability. To accomplish this, the armor is completely and skillfully designed with fluting arranged in radiating bands. This armor was part of the collection of Fritz Ziegler, who served as honorary consul of Monaco to Canada since 1965. He owned what many consider to be the largest and most important collection of suits of armor in North America.

Circa 1850

Provenance:
Fritz A. Ziegler Collection, British Columbia, Canada

Suit: 66" high
Horse: 24" wide x 73" high
Horse armor: 28" wide x 88" length

The Romantic Movement of the mid-19th century inspired a demand for all things Medieval, and this suit would have been custom-made for use in actual jousting tournaments that were popular during this time. These tournaments were inspired by the historical novels of Sir Walter Scott and stimulated both by the pioneering scholarship of men like Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick (1783-1848) and by such active revivals as the Eglington Tournament of 1839. Soon, it seemed that every country house across Europe needed arms and armor in its hall, and craftsmen worked at the trade of armorer to fill this demand. Their products varied from the visibly wrong and unwearable to complete armors so beautifully crafted that it is difficult for the untrained eye to distinguish them from the originals.