Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A pair of German gothic mitten gauntlets by Cöntz Judenspiess of Landshut, c. 1490 and later, each having a cuff with fluted surfaces and heart-shaped piercing to the leading edges, a wrist guard with a low navette-shaped protuberance to the outside, three articulated plates covering the back of the hand also having angular fluting and decorative piercing to the trailing edges, superposed knuckle plate with low peaks, four articulated plates with scalloped edges to cover the fingers of which further small independent plates protect the extremities; and a similarly constructed hinged thumb guard; some parts replaced* and with modern leather liners and straps; the left cuff struck with the stamp of Landshut and the boar spear makers mark of Judenspiess. [2]

* Approximately 60% original plates with later restoration. The left cuff is original bearing the stamp of Landshut and the makers stamp of Cöntz Judenspiess – Master of the Boar Spear. Both right and left cuffs have been tested by Dr Alan Williams. The right cuff is post Bessemer steel, the left is consistent with 15^th century German plate with slag inclusions. Edges are outwards turned as typical of the 15^th century. Both thumbs are reproductions. The left gauntlet substantially original, the right less so. All rivets were replaced as plates were disassembled and examined. Leather gauntlets and straps professionally reproduced.