Close Helmet for Foot Combat at the Barriers
Culture
Italian
, probably Milan
Dateabout 1600
Mediumsteel and brass
Dimensions25.4 × 21 × 29.2 cm (10 × 8 1/4 × 11 1/2 in.), 9 lb 15 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.1156.1
DescriptionCa. 1600-1605, of the form used in foot-tourneys at the barriers, probably a working-life composite of disparate pieces. Two-piece rounded skull overlapped and riveted along the low, obliquely-incised comb. This is transversely pierced at the rear to secure the plume. At the base of the comb is a plain, tubular associated plume-holder secured with two fluted rivets. Along the basal edge of the skull are two parallel rows of iron rivets (two retaining traces of brass caps); the upper row once retained the liner, the lower row secures the rear half of the embossed race which encircled the upper lame of the collar, made to match that of the lower bevor. Eight additional flush iron rivets (with traces of leather ) border the skull anterior edge, slightly cusped at the sides.
The decoration of the skull includes a full-length incised line on either side of the comb base, and another inner set along the skull.
The lower bevor has a squarish chin, embossed at its rear sides like the lower edge of the skull. At the anterior, this is bordered with a single incised line, above which is a single row of seven flush iron rivets. The facial opening edge is inwardly-turned and roped at a later date, in turn bordered with six flush iron rivets. The posterior vertical edge of the bevor is bordered with a closely set pair of parallel incised lines, later refreshed. At the basal rear edge the bevor is fitted with a set of hinges (right is a restoration) each attached with a single, fluted rivet, and secured to turning-pins on the skull. The visor-support above the right hinge is also restored, and associated to the present visor and upper bevor. The lower bevor has been altered at the chin to accommodate the upper bevor.
The associated upper-bevor extends down sharply from the modern visor-pivots and rosettes. The upper edge is slightly upturned, and puckered near the occularia. The edge below is slightly cusped at this point, and bevelled. The profile is very near vertical, with a sharp medial line. The right face is pierced with nine circular breaths in a circular pattern with incised lines radiating from the central hole. At the upper edge directly above is a vertical, punched set of two holes, both empty (these would have been used to rivet the visor sections together). A wing-screw with "fishtail" terminals passes through the enlarged hole on the bevor below, locking the upper-bevor closed. The incised decoration along the edges of the upper-bevor are en suite with the bevor, but seem to be true here. In fact, they pass off of the upper edge of the upper-bevor near the mid-front of the sights; this indicates that the upper-bevor has been cut back here to accommodate the assembly with the other components.
The associated visor has a deep, strong brow plate extending nearly to the mid-depth of the helmet. The comb is embossed like that of the skull, and generally similarly decorated. The posterior medial point and base of the comb are sharply cusped. At its anterior the comb is elliptical, and develops a defined medial ridge extending down across the extension that forms the divided single row occularia. The sights are plain, without a step, the edge below roughly finished, and pierced at the right for the securing-rivet (lacking).
Skull altered from an old, non-tournament component.
Label TextThis helmet was designed for tournament foot combat "at the barriers," in which the opponents fought from opposite sides of a wooden partition. With such an arrangement, the head was naturally a prime target: this helmet is made of especially thick steel, and the marks of many sword-blows can be seen on the skull.ProvenancePurchased at Milan (1906) by Baron C.A. de Cosson Sotheby's (London) Cyril Andrade, Ltd (purchased 14 May 1929 at de Cosson sale). Purchased by John W. Higgins from Cyril Andrade, Ltd (London) on 5 October 1929 with rest of 1001 armor. Given to the Armory on 10 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Southern German
about 1550