Close Helmet for Field and Tournament

Culture Northern Italian , Milan

Dateabout 1550–1570

Mediumetched steel with traces of gilding

Dimensions30.5 × 24.1 × 39.4 cm (12 × 9 1/2 × 15 1/2 in.), 8 lb (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1124

DescriptionThe SKULL is raised from a single plate. Delamination is visible on the interior, and some cracking on the exterior. It is ovoid, with a medium-height, boldly-roped comb, and a turned and roped edge across the brow of the facial opening. There are 12 lining-rivets around the face opening, broadly peened on the inside with irregular washers, and flush on the outside. These appear to be original. There are 5 rivets on the left side of the neck, 6 on the right (one of which secures the pivot-hook), all with domed heads, plus a flush rivet on the right. The domed rivets have a rough finish on the interior, and are probably restored. The flush rivet has a similar internal finish as the ones at the face opening, and is probably original.

Both sides are pierced for hearing by nine holes in a circular pattern within an etched floral motif.

There is a pivot-hook at the right jaw to secure the lower bevor; it features chiseled molding and a flattened area for the finger. It is likely original.

Attached at the base is a collar of two lames with turned and roped edge on the lower lame.

LOWER BEVOR with roped edge around the face opening, and large flat-headed lining rivets around the opening. The metal is cracked at the center of the face opening, with 2 more cracks on the lower right edge. The lower of these is probably old, as it has what seems to be an old riveted repair plate.

There are six rivets along the lower edge, of which the outer 2 double as articulations and are restored.

2 original collar lames articulate on rivets at the outer edge; there is a roped edge on the lower plate. The upper one is made of recycled metal, to judge by the extraneous holes at the left. The right edge has a riveted repair plate. The lower lame has pronounced delamination.

UPPER BEVOR has a breath on the right side, consisting of 8 holes arranged around a center hole. The holes have been integrated into an etched design suggestive of a flower, with the stem issuing from the base of the prow. The metal shows much cracking and delamination. The prow has a lightly concave profile; it is cusped at the base of the prow, with slight secondary cusps flanking. There is a cut-out for the visor lifting peg on the right, somewhat roughly executed--probably original, but possibly altered to accommodate a replacement peg. There is a restored pierced peg for the pivot hook at the lower right.

VISOR is deeply pointed, with a medial ridge that shades into a comb to overlay the base of the comb of the skull. There is a riveted repair (conceivably an original reinforcing plate) inside the forward tip, where the metal has been worked into an acute point. There is also brazing visible at this point on the outside, probably a later repair. The roping of other elements is lightly echoed along the edge projecting below the sight. There is a lifting peg on the right, probably restored.

Overall, the helmet is adorned with etched mannerist decoration, notably on the comb, brain-pan, and inside the edges of the metal. Motives include wild-man faces, birds, dogs, dolphin heads, and harpies amidst vines and floral tracery with pebbled infill. The consistency of execution indicates that all plates are original.

Label TextThis cavalry helmet was once part of a fine suit of armor. It is made of thick steel, with a ridged comb down the center that improves its strength, but also serves as a decorative feature. Similarly, the sharp prow helps to deflect incoming spearpoints while adding to the sculptural effect. The narrow eyeslot is also typical of helmets designed for use with a lance. The narrow field of vision limits the risk of a spearpoint penetrating the eyeslot. The limited vision worked relatively well for lance-combat, which required focused concentration on a single target. ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins in January 1928 from Duveen Brothers (NY). Given to the Museum on March 21, 1928. Letter of JWH dated May 5 1933 to Grancsay says this is from the collection of Maurice Chabrières-Arlès of Lyon and Paris. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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