The Worcester Art Museum’s collection of arms and armor is the second largest in the United States. The Museum has over 1,500 works in the armor collection. Do suits of armor seem like works that an art museum would have on display? Look at these parts of the Teuffenbach armor and think of how you might think of the objects as works of art.

This suit of armor was made in Europe by Stefan Rormoser of Innsbruck. He finished the armor in 1554 according to the date on the belly and back. He made it for his client, the distinguished Austrian nobleman, Franz von Teuffenbach of Styria. 

Look carefully at the full suit of armor. What do you notice about it?

This fine armor is homogenous, with each piece original and made for the suit, and we actually know who made it, when, and for whom. The letters S and R on the nape of the helmet are for Stefan Rormoser of Innsbruck, who finished the armor in 1554 according to the date on the breastplate center. His client was the distinguished Austrian nobleman, Franz von Teuffenbach of Styria. Teuffenbach is represented on the breastplate by the armored man kneeling before a crucifix, but this image is found on many armors of the period, and is not necessarily a portrait of the owner. Under the front of the left shoulder is etched the diamond-shaped image of the Berberorden (“Order of the Berbers”), commemorating Teuffenbach’s service against the Algerian Berbers in 1535. He also campaigned against the French in 1536, the Ottoman Turks in 1543, and served in various governmental functions in the Holy Roman Empire.

2014.80.jpg

2014.80.9.jpg

Worcester Art Museum

Armor for Field and Tilt, of Count Franz von Teuffenbach 

This image is a detailed view of the breastplate. Count Teuffenbach is represented on the breastplate by the armored man kneeling before a cross. This image is found on many armors of the period, and is not necessarily a portrait or picture of the owner. 

What more do you see on this breastplate? Are you surprised by any of the details that you see on this suit of armor?

Gauntlets are armored gloves designed to protect the hands of the knight. If you look carefully at it, you will see that it has a designs pattern going up the center of the gauntlet. These designs are created by etching the design onto the metal. The designer would put an acid on the metal and then use a sharp tool to carve the design.

What other designs do you see on this armored glove? Can you think of gloves designed today that both protect and add style to the person wearing them?

You are now looking at the left pauldron of Teuffenbach's suite of armor. The pauldron is a piece of plate armor that protects the knight's shoulder - here his left shoulder. Again, you will see that this piece of armor has different designs etched onto it. What designs do you see on the pauldron? 

Watch this video to get a full view of the armor and to learn more about what the Museum knows about this suit of armor. 

Standards for Armor as Art: The Teuffenbach Armor

National Core Arts Standards