Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 3).djvu/381

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Fig. 1087. Breastplate

Italian, in a later style of Lucio Picinino of Milan, about 1570 Collection: Mr. D. M. Currie

Currie of London (Fig. 1087). Like those just described, it is of peascod shape, embossed and gilt, with encrusted silver and gold decoration, with inlays of silver, and with gilt backgrounds behind the figures. At the top is a Medusa's head with wings, and on each side are winged figures of Victory blowing trumpets and bearing palm branches. Beneath this are two figures of captive youths, and below these again, in the centre, is a niche with a figure of Mars standing on a tablet supported by two satyrs, who rest on a ram's head surmounting a cartouche containing a small statue of Apollo. Bands with garlands, strapwork and masks separate the next vertical bands of figures, comprising winged children bearing a banner, Mercury, a satyr full-face, and Diana. On the corresponding band are Jupiter and Saturn.