Kunz Lochner

[1] In 1543, Lochner started working for the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I, and the following year he began his service at the future Maximilian II as court armourer.

[2] Lochner's workshop produced some of the most magnificent plate armours made during the 16th-century Renaissance period for field warfare, tourney and ceremonial occasions.

[1][3] Armour crafted by Lochner, bearing Lochner's personal hallmark: a shield with demi-lion in dexter and bendy of six in sinister; similar is also his other personal hallmark: a shield with lion rampant,[1][2] or on stylistic grounds bearing the Nuremberg hallmark, can be found preserved in museums such as the Royal Armoury (Livrustkammaren) in Stockholm, the Dresden State Art Collections (Dresden Armoury) in Dresden, the Army Museum in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Since Poland didn't have a given heir to the throne, John III wanted his son Sigismund to be the next successor.

In the complicated process of choosing a new king, Catherine's sister Anna sent this armour to calm John III concerning the heritage and to ensure herself of support from Sweden.