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Fig. 1098. Backplate
From the famous suit of Duke John-George I of Saxony, by Heinrich Knopf of Münster
Dresden Gallery
we have little hesitation in stating that we believe them to be the work of the goldsmith armourer, Heinrich Knopf of Münster. Knopf was maker of the world-famous suits of Christian II of Saxony, and the armour of the Duke John-George I of Saxony, which are to be seen in the Dresden Gallery and to which we have referred on page 353. Of this latter suit we illustrate the backplate (Fig. 1098), showing the curiously rendered strapwork, the edges of which are represented almost three-quarter view, giving to this particular ornament a sense of depth usually lacking in its representation as a decorative motif, especially on plate armour. Exactly the same strapwork motifs are to be seen on the Ambrosiana saddle steels. They have also in common a feature very characteristic of the work of Heinrich Knopf: we allude to the raised surfaces of the strap patterns deeply etched with a minuter form of scroll-*work, such as we are accustomed to see on Saxon made armour of the early years of the XVIIth century. We are aware that Heinrich Knopf was much influenced in his work by the compositions of Frans de Vriendt, whose name, as we have already said, M. Maindron has suggested as a possible designer of the ornament upon the Louvre Henri II suit. The Ambrosiana saddle steels are matchless examples of horse equipment, unique for the absolute freshness of their condition. The surfaces are blue-black with the greater part of the raised ornamentation plated with gold. The gold which we are accustomed to see, the gold which enriches even the most sumptuous plate armour, is always a little perished even when it is in fine condition; but the gold on these steels is thick gold plating as fresh upon the blued field of the armour as though it had only just been applied. Indeed, the four pieces have the appearance of having been made yesterday. It is owing to the dry climate and to the tooled leather case, which was made to contain the steels, and is still exhibited beside them, that we are able to obtain so excellent an
