A pair of South German black and white gauntlets, circa 1580 The metacarpi sliding on four lames, the knuckle guard with a prominent, raised rib. The attached finger scales still with the original leather lining. The attached thumb plates opening on a hinge, each with three finger scales. The tapering cuffs with finely turned and roped edges. Old blackening, each with a slightly ridged, polished linear ornament. The polished surfaces lightly pitted in places. Length of each 36 cm. Condition: II -