Pikeman's Helmet

Artistprobably Richard Wright (English, d. 1654)

Dateabout 1630–1645

Mediumsteel and leather fragments

Dimensions26 × 28 × 44.5 cm (10 1/4 × 11 × 17 1/2 in.), 3 lb 10 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsHelmet has traces of an upper-case "W" on brim front right, and what may be mark of Armourer's Company of London at front left in band. See photo in digital file.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1167.1

DescriptionThis is a pikeman's "pott" of two longitudinal halves roughly turned over along the low, plain comb and riveted together along the overlap on both peaks. The comb is transversely pierced with a small hole at the rear in order to tie the plume.

The round skull is fairly deep and is encircled at its base with a row of twenty-two domed lining-rivets with irregularly circular copper alloy washers within, beneath which are fragments of the old leather band. At the rear of the skull, just above the rivets is a single, punched hole to either side of the comb for the now lost plume-pipe.

The skull is drawn out below in a wide, downturned brim which curves up along the basal edge to low, arched bluntly pointed peaks at both ends. The plain edge is inwardly crimped over a wire core, and bordered with a wide, shallow recessed band that is filled with 34 rivets and washers for another lining band, like those of the brow.

The only decoration is provided by close-set, paired lines on the skull, to either side of the comb and parallel to the lining-rivets below. There are no cheekpieces.
Label TextPikemen fought on foot in porcupine formations that helped defend musketeers from attacking cavalry. By the end of the 1600s, soldiers were using early versions of the bayonet on their muskets. Every musketeer was now his own pikeman, and armor largely vanished from the battlefield.ProvenanceEarl of Eglinton (Ayrshire, Scotland) Cyril Andrade (London) probably his no. 16 Theodore Offerman of York Galleries, NYC Purchased by John W. Higgins from Theodore Offerman (York Galleries, NYC) on 27 September 1927. Given to the Armory on 15 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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