Northern French or English Medieval Oak Sculpture of an Archer or Foot Soldier

Period: 1300-1500

Origin: France or England

Medium: polychrome, Oak

Literature: Carved from a single piece of oak the archer wears a close fitting coat of chain mail beneath a thigh length jerkin tightened with a belt, flaring from the hips. On his head a conical headpiece. His knees covered by painted closed hinged plate greaves.
It has been suggested that this secular figure was a device intended to create an illusion. Placed upon the battlements of a castle sculptures such as this supplemented the visual display of armed resistance to the enemy.