Parade armour became an elaborate and ornate Renaissance art form intended to both glorify war and flatter the military prowess of the royal subject.
Surviving examples include decorated shields, helmets, and full suits of armour.
Delaune was an important contributor to the form, and Henry II commissioned a number of similar works, including a panel for his horse, and some bucklers (shields) now in the Louvre, both by Delaune.
In addition surviving works for Henry include a full suit at the Museum of Ethnology, Vienna.

Henry required armour for battle, tournament and state occasions, and kept a court amoury staffed by mostly French, Flemish and Italian artisans, of whom Delaune was probably the most skilled and was called upon for the most prestigious commissions.
The c 1555 "Shield of Henry II of France" also in the Metropolitan, is thought to have been based on a design by Delaune.
Today there are at least six surviving examples of armour designed for Henry by Delaune, a number of which are shields, including in the Wallace Collection, Vienna, and Turin.

The manufacture of the suit would have been highly specialised and complex, probably involving a number of master goldsmiths, and involve high levels of gilding, damascening the layers gold and silver, and leather stamping (embossing).
It was probably created at the Louvre Atelier of Royal Armorers, and would not have been intended for wear at battle or jousts – the armour is purely decorative and suitable only for state processions and occasions; its form and design would impede movement and is impractically designed for defense.
Parade armour became an elaborate and ornate Renaissance art form intended to both glorify war and flatter the military prowess of the royal subject. Surviving examples include decorated shields, helmets, and full suits of armour. Delaune was an important contributor to the form, and Henry II commissioned a number of similar works, including a panel for his horse, and some bucklers (shields) now in the Louvre, both by Delaune. In addition surviving works for Henry include a full suit at the Museum of Ethnology, Vienna.
Henry required armour for battle, tournament and state occasions, and kept a court amoury staffed by mostly French, Flemish and Italian artisans, of whom Delaune was probably the most skilled and was called upon for the most prestigious commissions. The c 1555 "Shield of Henry II of France" also in the Metropolitan, is thought to have been based on a design by Delaune. Today there are at least six surviving examples of armour designed for Henry by Delaune, a number of which are shields, including in the Wallace Collection, Vienna, and Turin.
The manufacture of the suit would have been highly specialised and complex, probably involving a number of master goldsmiths, and involve high levels of gilding, damascening the layers gold and silver, and leather stamping (embossing). It was probably created at the Louvre Atelier of Royal Armorers, and would not have been intended for wear at battle or jousts – the armour is purely decorative and suitable only for state processions and occasions; its form and design would impede movement and is impractically designed for defense.
Parade Armour of Henry II of France