Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London

Visited 6th June 2003--------Entry free

Report by Shimmer

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Mainly known for housing paintings and furniture, The Wallace Collection had been attracting art lovers for years. However, what is not so widely know is that it also has an extremely thorough arms & armour collection. Not being much of a one for paintings, I bypassed the galleries and headed straight for the armoury at the back of the building.

'Gothic' armour for man and horse German about 1475-85Visored Basinet (looks like a pig face basinet to me) Italian about 1390-1400

I wasn’t expecting much, as the Wallace collection has only received passing mention in the books I have, so maybe a room or two with some swords and a mace or two perhaps. Was I've ever wrong! Four large halls full of some of the best kit I’ve ever laid my eyes on! Seriously, I was drooling! They have an example of my all-time favourite sword there, the flamberge, several examples of swordgauntlets and a rarest of all, a really evil-looking five-bladed katar that I’d only seen drawings of before.

Falchion North Italian about 1550Parade Burgonet German about 1520

Before I get carried away and declare this place the Mecca for arms and armour enthusiasts the world over, let me just say two words. No Photos. That’s right, the bastards wouldn't let you to use a camera. Ok, on paintings flashes can cause degradation of the image, but on plate armour? These things are designed to survive being stuck by all manner of swords, axes and arrows, I hardly think a camera is going to do much damage!

Armour for man and horse. German about 1532-6Rapier North Italian 1555-60

To add insult to injury, the gift shop sells full catalogues of all exhibits of paintings and furniture there, but as far as the arms & armour is concerned you have a choice between three postcards or a 50p booklet containing 2/3 pictures from the postcards and a few other pictures.

Light Field Armour English about 1587Fluted half-armour German 1600-25

Infuriating, but I do plan to go back soon to take it all in again and do a proper report. Until then, the above are some of the photos from the booklet, which was actually really good value for money but only shows the European part of the exhibition, a real shame as the Asian arms and armour were fascinating!