Closed Burgonet

Culture German

Date1620–1625

Mediumsteel and paint with leather fragments

Dimensions28.5 × 24.5 × 27 cm (11 1/4 × 9 5/8 × 10 5/8 in.), 3 lb 15 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsRed-painted "N10." inside of upper-bevor at medial line.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1148.1

DescriptionThis is probably German, from the second decade of the 17th century. Ovoidal 2-piece skull without comb, overlapping longitudinally, and riveted along length of seam. Riveted to the neck opening front and rear is a curved gorget plate. Pivoted on a pair of low, domed studs at the temples is a movable fall, upper-bevor, & bevor. The studs (at least the R one) are decorated with radial lines. The level peak of the fall is narrow and curved, with an inwardly turned plain edge. The fall extends somewhat up over the brow, rising slightly in a low medial point with an embossed low ridge. There is a riveted loop at the rear apex of the skull.

As the terminals of the upper-bevor sweep up to the pivots they slightly overlap those of the fall, and at the peak itself they are notched to form the single long sight per side, the two divided by a medial low, wide strip rising from the upper-bevor. The bottom edge of each sight is formed with a low, raised border that is inwardly turned and plain. In profile the upper-bevor is nearly vertical, with a slight outward curve that is medially ridged. Below the right sight are six breaths pierced in a irregular circle around a seventh hole.

The facial opening is slightly arched across the brow and deeply curved below where the edge of the bevor is finished with an inward turn. The opening itself is bordered by a row of flattened lining-rivets with wide flat heads within; those across the brow are probably later, and retain a leather lining-band.

The bevor has a full chin with a slight medial ridge, and is prolonged in a narrow flange to the ends of which is a single, curved gorget-plate. A similar plate is riveted to the skull flange. Both plates have a rounded, inward turn that is bordered by a row of flush rivets that have flat heads within, retaining some fragments of leather. The skull and bevor are secured closed by a pivot-hook and pierced lug at the right side of the neck.

The base of the skull is encircled by a row of domed rivets with hollow-embossed, circular washers.
ProvenancePurchased by Museum from J. Gluckselig & Sohn (Vienna, Austria) on December 1, 1936. Paid $300 for lot HAM#s 2383-2387. Old record states this armor was dealer's number 28, and mentions another "tag 1145". Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.

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