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Elbow Defense (Couter)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Elbow Defense (Couter) by an unknown artist is a metallic piece of armor. The elbow defense is made of metal, likely steel, and has a weathered appearance with visible signs of aging and wear, including a rough, speckled surface with darker spots. It consists of two main parts: a larger, curved piece that covers the elbow and a smaller, more angular piece that appears to be attached to the upper arm. The larger piece is shaped like a kidney, with the curved side facing outward and the straighter edge toward the back. The surface of the metal is pitted and worn, suggesting age and use. The background of the image is a plain light gray color.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1430–40
Medium
Steel
Culture
Italian
Dimensions
599 × 428 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette