Hardback in dust jacket. 220 pages. Published 1998.

What a find! In pristine condition :)

The armoury in the Styrian State Museum Joanneum in Graz, Austria, represents one of the finest collections of its kind. This beautiful book gives the impression that here is something altogether modern, pieces of armour suddenly taking on the character of secretive-looking figures from another planet.

The text explains the cultural history of arms and armour, and the background to their manufacture, from the late Middle Ages to the Baroque period. Text, photography and layout combine to enable the reader to appreciate not only the scope of this world-famous collection but also the intricate workmanship of material and design displayed in the individual objects.

The photograph is a close up of a breastplate made in the 1540's.