Electrotype. Complete man's armour, consisting of armlet, gorget, breast and back plates, cuisses, pauldrons, rere-braces, vam-braces and gauntlets, jambs and sollerets, and shield. The whole embossed with scenes taken from the latter portion of the life of Pompey, together with allegorical figures of victory, Power, and mythological subjects. On the back plate is represented the defeat of Pompey by Caesar in the plain of Pharsalia in Thessaly, and the other portions of the armour are represented the leading subsequent events of his downfall and his assination. The original suit, which was made for Henry 11 of France, is preserved in the Musee des Souverains in the Louvre. French, 16th century. H. 6 ft. 2 3/4 in., W. 27 in. Bought of Lionnet freres, Paris.

Shield

Part of a complete armour. Ref repro 1869C-30

Made by Elkington and Company

Electrotypes are relics of 19th century industrialisation. The process of eletroplating and electrotyping favoured companies that could afford large factories and expensive technology. The power of the machinery at the disposal of the silver industry allowed modern mass production to develop. Hundreds of electrotypes could be created at once in the vats. The Museum bought electrotype reproductions so students could study 'historic' objects or works of art that were otherwise inaccesssible.

REPRO.1869-30