# Parrying Gauntlet

- By: Italian
- Date: 1550/1575
- Medium: Steel, iron, linen textile, and leather
- Classification: Armor
- Dimensions: H.: 44.5 cm (17 1/2 in.)
- Culture: Italy
- Credit line: George F. Harding Collection
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/116436)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/eabdb48f-46fb-63df-44f5-bcf7b34baac5/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

In rapier combat, various techniques called for left-handed daggers, shields, or bucklers to parry (ward off) or bind an opponent’s blade. Another such device that became popular among fencing masters and duelists was the fencing gauntlet.

Unlike gauntlets used in field armor, fencing gauntlets featured palms that were covered in fine mail, a mesh of steel rings that permitted the wearer to push aside or grab his attacker’s sword blade. Dents and cuts on the cuff of this example indicate that it was indeed used.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0