A breastplate or chestplate is a device worn over the torso to protect it from injury, as an item of religious significance, or as an item of status.
A 15th-century Gothic breastplate, with belts hanging below the fauld for the attachment of tassets
Breastplate and helmet of the French Horse Carabinier, during the Bourbon Restoration (1816–1824)
New-made replicas of a 17th-century helmet, two breastplates, tassets, a halberd, and two military marching drums
Man's Breastplate, Crow (Native American), 1880–1900, Brooklyn Museum
Plate armour is a historical type of personal body armour made from bronze, iron, or steel plates, culminating in the iconic suit of armour entirely encasing the wearer. Full plate steel armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, especially in the context of the Hundred Years' War, from the coat of plates worn over mail suits during the 14th century.
Full plate armour for man and horse commissioned by Sigismund II Augustus, Livrustkammaren in Stockholm Sweden (1550s).
Bronze muscle cuirass, Italy, c. 350–300 BC
A Japanese 16th–17th century suit of plate armour with a western-style cuirass (nanban dō gusoku)
Italian suit of armour with sallet, c. 1450
