German Gothic cuirasses of the 15th century are distinguished from their Italian Milanese counterparts by their fluted, rippling surface treatment, a style that drew visually on the pointed forms of contemporary Gothic architecture while genuinely strengthening the plate against glancing blows. As the anchor point of a complete harness, the cuirass carried real structural weight, both literally and in the sense that other components attached to it. This reproduction is worked in 1.2mm steel, giving a heavier, more durable build than our standard 18-gauge cuirass.
Gothic Torso and Back Plate, 1.2mm Steel
This torso and back plate offers the same fluted Gothic silhouette as our standard cuirass, worked in 1.2mm steel for a slightly heavier, more robust build. Within a full harness, the cuirass anchored the gorget above and the faulds and tassets below, making it the structural centre of the entire suit. Fluted panelling across the breastplate, the hallmark of the German Gothic style, added genuine rigidity rather than serving as pure decoration.
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