Cuirass

This armour comprises a cuirass and a zischägge (a Hungarian helmet). A cuirass consists of breastplate, backplate, and gorget. Typical characteristics of a zischägge, also known as a lobster-tailed pot helmet, are the rounded skull and the long, movable neck guard. Both objects are etched with gilt plant and floral ornamentation. Five riveted gilt-bronze medallions with semi-precious stones trace the central seam of the breastplate. The helmet is decorated with small rosettes and rock crystals.

In the sixteenth century, arms and armour in the Ottoman or Turkish manner were extremely popular in southern Germany. However, such objects were also produced as diplomatic or contractual gifts of honour for the Sublime Porte. The Austrian State Archive in Vienna houses preparatory drawings (dated 12 April 1590) for armour that is closely related to this one, and which was intended to be dispatched as a gift of honour to Sinan Pasha.

At the time, Sinan Pasha had just become Grand Vizir for the second time, which means he was effectively the head of government in the Ottoman Empire. The imperial court in Vienna ordered the armour conceived in the extant preparatory sketches from Michael Kobolt, an armourer from Nuremberg. In a letter dated 11 May 1590, Emperor Rudolf II refers to these ‘armours, mail, and leg/arm pieces ordered for Sinan Pasha and taken there by Oberhauser’ (für den Sinam Bassa begerten und durch den Oberhauser zugleich dahin gebrachten Rüstungen, Panzern und Röhren).