Skull of a Close Helmet modified for mortuary use

Skull of a Close Helmet modified for mortuary use

Culture English , or

Culture Flemish

Date1550–1600

Mediumsteel

Dimensions25.6 × 17.7 × 23.5 cm (10 1/16 × 6 15/16 × 9 1/4 in.), 3 lb 11 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1111

DescriptionOf one piece of steel with high, well-roped comb bordered by incised lines on both sides and at the base of the comb, bordered with a pair of incised lines on each side, and rising to an apical point rear of visor pivot holes. At apex the comb sides are pierced with single hole for a lost funerary crest spike. Forward of this the comb has a large irregularly round hole through which the helmet was hung. Facial opening is finished with a plain edge, but this might have been cut back. At posterior base of skull is an attached plate to which articulated nape gorget lames would have been fitted. Plate is overlapped by skull, and the join bordered with an incised line. Sides of skull pierced for visor pivots. Near mid-height on left rear of skull is pair of rivets probably for a lost plume-pipe.
Label TextMortuary helmets were hung above the tombs of aristocrats to highlight their status. Typically repurposed from battlefield armor, they were often modified to make them look like the helmets seen in heraldry. The face plates of this helmet were probably replaced in this way, with the replacements later removed to appeal to the armor collecting market. This helmet is said to have come from a church near Plymouth, England. The holes in the top were for the mounts used to display it above the tomb.Provenance(per Andrade) a church near Plymouth, England Tibbenham(?) (Warwick), NLT 3 March 1927 Cyril Andrade (London), 3 May 1927-16 May 1930 Mr. John W. Higgins. Purchased by John W. Higgins on May 16, 1930 from Cyril Andrade, Ltd. of London, his no. 429, originally priced at 15 pounds. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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