Bari cuirass? is there a back plate extant?

[richard robinson]

I have commenced work on a "barbarian" copy of the famous
samnite/ carthaginian breastplate. I have become aware that there are two almost identical ones. However am at a complete loss as to what to do for the back plate!
Does anyone have photos of the backplate(s) or actually seen it in the museum? (excuse me if i have mislabelled it)
regards
richard robinson

[M. Demetrius]

There are examples of contemporary "Early Roman Armies" pectorals in the Osprey book of the same title. While not Samnite exactly, it's very likely there was a great deal of similarity. Deepeeka offers a version of a simple, undecorated pectoral, although evidently, many were very ornately engraved, and perhaps plated with more expensive metals.

[Dan Diffendale]

the famous samnite/ carthaginian breastplate

You must mean the one discovered at Ksour-es-Saf / Ksour Essaf, Tunisia? It's in the Bardo Museum in Tunis; pictures of front and back are available at Davide Monaco's excellent site, under the heading "CORAZZA DEI LINTEATI":
http://xoomer.alice.it/davmonac/sanniti/smlegio2.html (Not yet available in English, so far as I can tell).

[richard robinson]

Thank you MD
Thank you Dan.
I had found this site yesterday myself and sections of it are in English btw.
This is exactly the cuiras(ses?) I was seeking more info on.
Are you positive that they are the same "set".
I had drawn the conclusion (perhaps wrongly) that they images of the TWO breastplates found. (one in Africa, one in Italy).
Looking at the side fittings I had convinced myself. But i am more than happy to be reassured.
Thanks again

How very embarressing that i got the Museum and city completely wrong! :oops: