Object Image

Glove palm-facing

Mail facing for a glove or duelling gauntlet, of flattened, riveted links; the fingers long, with a short extension on one side at the wrist. Such a mail panel was sewn to the inner side of the leather glove of a duelling gauntlet whose lames were made to overlap backwards. The rapiers of the period, although designed for thrusting rather than for slashing, had two cutting edges which rendered it dangerous to seize a blade with the bare hand. Italian writers of the 16th century applied the term guanti di presa to these gauntlets.
c. 1600
Iron or steel
A277
Images and text © Wallace Collection, 2017

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The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection
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