Italian Composite Half Armour

This half armour consists of a close helmet, gorget, a long peascod breastplate, a pair of complete arms and a pair of gauntlets.They are decorated with etching and bands of strapwork alternating with bright bands.  The pieces all come from different sets of armour although the gauntlets and helmet belong together. The kind of strap work design seen here was first seen in Germany in the 1540s.  It later became quite common in Italy.