Telfair Museums Presents ‘Age of Armor: Treasures from of the Higgins Armor Collection’ Exhibition and Film Series

SAVANNAH, GA – June 15, 2023 – Telfair Museums will present The Age of Armor: Treasures from the Higgins Armory Collection at the Worcester Art Museum from Friday, June 23 to Oct. 9, 2023, at The Jepson Center located at 207 W York St, Savannah, GA 31401. This rare collection explores the story of armor in its golden age, and the history of knights and metalworking from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

From the warriors of ancient Greek legends to the knights of the Middle Ages, to the superheroes of today’s popular culture, the idea of personal body armor has an enduring hold on the human imagination. Telfair Museums now has the honor of showcasing this rare collection, which was acquired by the Worcester Art Museum in 2014. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to discover the diverse and often surprising stories embedded in these powerful exhibits, while exploring the evolutionary changes of armor from its rise in Europe during the Middle Ages to its fall in the 17th century. The exhibition will feature weapons, armor components, and partial and full suits of armor, all showcasing the history of metalworking while disrupting heroic fantasies associated with images of knights in shining armor.

“Telfair Museums is proud to bring Age of Armor to the Coastal Empire,” said Elyse Gerstenecker, Ph.D., curator of decorative arts at Telfair. “This exhibition emphasizes the rich history of changes in technology and taste that profoundly impacted craftsmanship,” Gerstenecker continues.

Telfair Museums will also present related programs to accompany the collection at the Jepson Center, including a Telfair Members Reception and lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 22, and a Free Family Day on Aug. 19. In addition, an Age of Armor film series will be presented at the Jepson Center throughout the month of July. Each Thursday evening, visitors are encouraged to wear their best costumes and watch exciting knight-inspired films to celebrate the collection.

Age of Armor Film Series: A Knight’s Tale – 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13: To kick off the film series, Telfair Museum will show a film that highlights armor and tournaments. Heath Ledger stars as a peasant squire who creates a new identity as a knight, along the way encountering the Black Prince, the subject of one of Telfair’s iconic paintings.

Age of Armor Film Series: Monty Python and the Holy Grail – 6 p.m. Thursday, July 20: One of the funniest films of all time, in which the Pythons skewer Arthurian legend.

Age of Armor Film Series: The Green Knight- 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27: David Lowery’s acclaimed retake on the tale of Sir Gawain. The moody fantasy was widely noted for its cinematography and Dev Patel’s acting as Gawain.

The Age of Armor Film Series is free to Telfair Museum members and $8 for nonmembers. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.telfair.org/exhibitions/age-of-armor/.

Major funding for this event is sponsored by Little John Family Foundation. Exhibition investment is sponsored by City of Savannah and the Georgia Council for the Arts. Exhibition funding is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson Jr. and Dr. Mrs. William T. Moore.