North Italy, 16th century / c. 1580
"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs "Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates) as arms and armor (North Italy, 16th century · c. 1580).
While it would provide some protection to the torso, the armor here is very light; fashion not function was the prerequisite.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this arms and armor as Steel; brass rivets simulating buttons.
The museum's collection notes: This cuirass is a specialized type of costume armor. In addition to protecting its owner's torso, it was clearly intended to simulate a civilian jacket, or doublet, with a row of buttons down the front. The owner would have opened it like an ordinary doublet since the two halves are hinged to a narrow backplate.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of Art"Waistcoat" Cuirass (Combined Breast and Backplates)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.