North Italy, 16th century / c. 1550–1600
Buffe (etched with bands of trophies)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Buffe (etched with bands of trophies) as arms and armor (North Italy, 16th century · c. 1550–1600).
Etching is a technique where either the design or its ground is bitten into the metal surface with acid, the rest being protected by a protective wax or varnish.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this arms and armor as etched steel.
The museum's collection notes: Shown here together is a burgonet , buffe , and breastplate all decorated with a technique known as etching. A burgonet is a light open helmet characterized by a peak, a fall over the eyes, and hinged earpieces. The face is protected by the addition of a buffe, a sperate detachable element worn with the open helmet that extends to the throat. It connects to the breastplate which protects the abdomen and is worn with a backplate.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBuffe (etched with bands of trophies)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.