Exquisite Italian Armor: The Personal Parade Armor of Frederick Stibbert (88135)

Frederick Stibbert (1838–1906)
Frederick Stibbert was an Anglo-Italian art collector, businessman, and enthusiast of militaria, born in Florence to a wealthy English family with roots in the East India Company.

Inheriting a vast fortune, Stibbert dedicated his life and wealth to collecting weapons and armors, transforming his family villa in Florence into a spectacular museum (see last two images in the image gallery). His primary passion was European Swords and Armors, a subject he studied extensively. He personally traveled throughout Europe to acquire pieces and designed elaborate, creating immersive historical narratives rather than simple static displays.

The Stibbert Museum, Florence
The Museo Stibbert is one of Florence’s most charming and unusual house-museums, the enduring legacy of Frederick Stibbert.

Upon his death in 1906, Stibbert bequeathed his entire collection to the city of Florence. Today, the museum houses over 50,000 artifacts from Europe, the Middle Est and Far East. The armory includes 16,000 pieces of European, Islamic, and Japanese weapons and armor. 

The museum is famed for its theatrical arrangements, most notably the Sala della Cavalcata, a grand hall featuring a simulated parade of fully armored knights on horseback and foot. Stibbert’s personal parade armor, now offered for sale, stands as a symbol of the collector’s obsession with military history and spectacle.

This armor offers an unbroken chain of ownership and undeniable authenticity, making it an extraordinary acquisition for any serious collector or institution.

• Frederick Stibbert’s Personal Use: The armor was acquired from an antique dealer in Florence, Italy, and is documented as the personal parade armor of Frederick Stibbert.
• Museum Seal: Crucially, the inner chest and select parts are stamped with the Stibbert Museum seal, confirming its direct association with the founder and his collection.
• Historical Documentation: The gallery includes a historical image of Frederick Stibbert wearing this very armor, providing irrefutable visual proof of its provenance.
• Modern Ownership: This piece comes from the private collection of Eyal Azerad, founder of Darksword Armory, who has decided to offer it for sale to make room for new acquisitions.

Price: 22,000 USD 

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