Fragment of a Helmet

Cultureprobably Italian or

Culture Spanish

Date1400s

Mediumsteel

Dimensions10.8 × 20.5 × 17.4 cm (4 1/4 × 8 1/16 × 6 7/8 in.), 5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.938

DescriptionOne piece of steel (?). Probably once of egg-shaped form. Shallow, extending down to point just above brow & occiput at front & rear, & is slightly curved over ears where finished in narrow, outwardly turned flanges. These curve forward down to truncated cusp at temples where plain basal edge arches gently up across brow. Basal edge is bordered above with single row of small lining holes. On triangular cusp, above the lining holes, is larger, ovoid hole which is apparently post-contemporary; this could well have been a terminal for one end of a handle if the helmet had been used as some form of bucket or container after its martial life.
ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on September 28, 1929 from estate of Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY), odd lot #3. Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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