An Ottoman steel arm guard, Turkey, 17th century

Philippe Missillier Collection no.200C

An armguard of very similar construction from the Türkische Cammer of Markgrafen (Margrave) Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden-Baden (1655-1707) which appeared in inventories for 1691 and 1721, is in the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe, forming part of the booty from the seventeenth century Turkish wars (inv. no.D 14; Ernst Petrasch et al, Die Karlsruher Turkenbeute, Munich: Hirmer Verlag, 1991, pp.91-92, no.26). It has triple fluting on the upper part as here and a double wrist-guard, with light engraving which has been parcel-gilt. Petrasch dates it to the second half of the seventeenth century (probably before 1691). It is possible that engraving on the present piece was also decorated with gilding which has been cleaned off during its life.