Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)

Title: Pair of Gauntlets from a Garniture of Armor of Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556–98)
Rights: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain.
Creator: Armorer Desiderius Helmschmid German
Etcher Ulrich Holzmann German
Date: 1546
Description: A pair of gauntlets made as part of a garniture for armor gifted to Philip II of Spain. The gauntlets don't have individual finger guards, instead they have a mittened type of glove that folds over the hand, encasing the fingers and protecting from injury, and preventing the wearer from dropping their weapon. They are made of steel, with gold decorations along the edges of the gauntlets, and vertical stripes of gold down the finger coverings and wrists.
Format: Steel, leather, gold. Gauntlet (a); H. 10 in. (25.5 cm); W. 4 3/4 in. (12 cm); D. 5 in. (12.7 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 1 oz. (475 g); gauntlet (b); H. 10 in. (25.5 cm); W. 4 3/4 in. (12 cm); D. 5 in. (12.7 cm); Wt. 16 oz. (439 g).
Publisher: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Contributor: Rieley Lawson
Identifier: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 14.25.901a, b.
Subject: Germany; Arms and Armor; Augsburg; Desiderius Helmschmid; armor; steel;
Source: Jpeg file. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 11/1/2025.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/22339