The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-19
Original Ownership of Gigantic Suit
Ascribed to Genouilhac, Master of
Ordnance in Campaign Waged
by Francis |. Against Italy
r n 1914 the Metropolitan Museum

r n 1914 the Metropolitan Museum
OF Art was able to secure two
treasures that II had coveted for
many years, but owing to the perils
which beset sea travel it was thought
best to leave them for while on sound
European soil. So it was not until
q few days ago that the institution
was able to place on exhibition here
a suit of fitting armor that has been
proclaimed by foreign collectors as the
finest in existence, and a remarkable
group Of seven colossal statues Of the
iioness headed Egyptian goddess sekh-
met which are believed to have been
set up by Amenhotep III. in the Tenn
pie of Nut at Karnak during the
XVIII. Dynasty (1411-1376 B. c..
The original ownership Of the armor
Is ascribed to the Sieur jacques Gour-
don de Genouilhac, or "Galiot," a
courtier and warrior OF the court of
Louis XII. and Francis l.. although
documentary evidence to support this
Ia lacking. 1t was acquired, however,
from the descendants of that noble
and bears on several pieces the date
1897, at which time he was well past
middle age and engaged as Grand
Master of Ordnance in the campaign
waged by Francis I. against Italy.
1t is related of this warrior that on
the occasion of the Pavia disaster he
had caused his artillery to be drawn
within effective range when he re-
ceived orders from his monarch to
cease firing. So incensed was de &C.
nouilhac, according to accounts. that
he seized a wheel of a cannon in one
Of his mighty hands, overturned the
piece and spurned 1t with his foot.
Genouilhac Was n Giant.
He was indeed said to be one OF
herculean proportions and strength
and that such was the case there is
ample evidence in the suit now on ex-
hibition at the Metropolitan. Upon its
arrival at the museum this suit was
placed upon the largest attendant in
the building, a man weighing 225
pounds and six feet in height, who by
no means filled it. In fact when fully
buckles upon this parsonage there was
still room enough between the interior
Of the mighty breast plates and the
wearer for the insertion Of a good sized
human arm.
Mounted as the armor now is upon
an equestrian figure before the main
entrance of the museum, il is a most
inspiring sight. Although Gothic in
style it is heavily gilded at all points
and richly ornamented with traceries
The arms of the Visconti (Milan)-a
child in the process of being swallowed
by a serpent-appear on several parts
Of its surface. In the shallow etching
are also mermaids. mermen, elephants
castle, owls, amorini. seraphm and
the labors Of Hercules. Some OF these
figures have been remarked as indica.
tions Of Italian origin. but as De Gen
ouilhac was noble OF southern
France in the vicinity of the Spanish
border, il may be to the influence Of
the latter country that this elaboration
Is attributable. ----
Everywhere that this ornamentatior
occurs. and 1t completely covers every
part OF the outfit, it is curiously shall.
low: the armorer evidently having
taken great pains that il should mo-
weaken the resisting power of tn,
metal. Through the care OF the nobl,
family which cherished this armor fo
nearly four centuries, and partly be
cause Of the dry atmosphere of tn,
mountain country OF southern Franc
where this family's estates were 10
Gated, every detail OF the fine etching
has been preserved.
No Essential Parts Missing.
A most remarkable thing noted b.
the collectors about this outfit Is tn
fact that not an essential part ha
been lost; whereas among the suits O
exhibition in the best museums moder
shoulder and leg defences are not un
common and substitution is to be dis
covered in conspicuous places
AS far as can he ascertained tn
only pieces that cannot be accounte
for are a heavy face defence whic
went over the helmet and visor; a
extra arm plate and a shoulder guar,
That such pieces were a part of tn
original outfit is indicated by pegs an
pinions which must have been for tn
securing of these reenforcements.
In addition to the complete suit fc
man, the outfit includes a high plat
ed saddle, long neck defence for hors
q beautiful horse helmet and man
extra pieces of rare workmanship