ODDS & ENDS

"Deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child"
The Warrior is a Child by Twila Paris
lyrics http://www.gagirl.com/misc/warrior.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tu0vJg3RSA

One of my favorite places to go when I am in New York City is of course the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One of my favorite exhibits at the Met are the rooms dedicated to the Knights in Armor. I love the intricate patterns carved into the metal with the care and delicacy of a fine textile.
When I was in a 1750's French and Indian War reenactment group in Pittsburgh, Captain William Trent Company, I studied the historical garments while I made the reenactment clothing for my family.
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Armored_Horse_in_Europe/1.r.htm

One particular element on a suit of armor that interests me most is a gorget.
"Most Medieval versions of gorgets were simple neck protectors that were worn under the breastplate and back plate set. These neck plates supported the weight of the armour worn over it, and many were equipped with straps for attaching the heavier armour plates.
Later, Renaissance gorgets were not worn with a breastplate but instead were worn over the clothing. Most gorgets of this period were beautifully etched, gilt, engraved, chased, embossed, or enamelled and probably very expensive."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorget

The newest rice rafferty creation of wearable art is a series of women necklace or adornments inspired by the knights gorget. Nouveaux Antique Necklace- gorget style adornment made of 100 % silk charmeuse handcrafted floral shaped elements embellished with vintage jewelry, beads and lace. These Necklaces look great as a room decor as well as to embellish your body.

"During the 18th and early 19th centuries, crescent-shaped gorgets of silver or silver gilt were worn by officers in most European armies, both as a badge of rank and an indication that they were on duty. These last survivals of armour were much smaller (usually about three to four inches in width) than their Medieval predecessors and were suspended by chains or ribbons."

This feminine gorget shows your rank and will definitely draw attention that you are on duty. Consider yourself warned, don't wear this neck adornment if you want to go unnoticed.