Armour of Piet Heyn before 1629

This armour of Piet Heyn, made by an anonymous maker, is pure function formed in steel. The cold, hard metal of the breastplate and articulated skirt weren't shaped by some magical process, but by the sweat and skill of a metalworker. The armourer would have used hammers and heat, forging and quenching the steel repeatedly to achieve the desired form and strength, which speaks to an intimate knowledge of the material. And it's the details that reveal the armour's social context. Notice the individual lames that make up the skirt. These allow for flexibility, crucial for movement in battle or on deck. Leather straps and buckles, now aged and worn, hold the whole thing together. Consider, too, the thousands of hammer blows, each one a testament to the labour involved. The armour represents the economic investment in equipping a naval hero. In the end, this is more than just protection; it's a testament to human ingenuity, the properties of materials, and a culture of conflict where high art meets essential craft.