Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/251

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plate. We regard certain fine gauntlets of this type that are extant as dating from the end of the XIVth or from the opening years of the XVth century. Among these may be reckoned the superb gauntlets which are now in the Museum of the Bargello, Florence (Fig. 565), and which form part of the bequest of Signor Ressman who obtained them in Florence from the famous Toscanelli Collection. These are the most wonderful pair of gauntlets of this period in existence; for the richness of their latten trimming appears to surpass in elaboration even that of some of the finest gauntlets sculptured on effigies. Though they are of the same fashion and make as those shown in the Wallace Collection next to be described, they are more complete. We think they are of Italian origin for they bear an armourer's mark, a monogram, which seems to be that of a North Italian craftsman. At the same time they are more elaborate; for in between the grooves of the big metacarpal plates are applied strips of latten with acorn-like finials. The cuff-borders are also more solid and the engraved inscriptions in Latin upon them are executed in a superior manner. These are interesting, being but a slight variation of the text Jesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat (Luke iv, 30), a motto which occurs on various English coins from 1343 to the end of the XVIth century.

Fig. 566. Pair of gauntlets with enrichments of brass

About 1380-1400. Nos. 6 and 7, Wallace Collection .