Burgonet

Culture German

Date1550–1600

Mediumsteel and brass with leather and modern string

Dimensions32.5 × 31 × 22 cm (12 13/16 × 12 3/16 × 8 11/16 in.), 4 lb (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsPair of assembly nicks on flange of right cheekpiece and skull.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1149.1

DescriptionOne-piece, open BURGONET with high roped comb, integral peak, deep hinged cheekpieces. This may be somewhat earlier than the other components to which it is associated.

The skull is of one piece, rounded, with a high, file-roped comb, at the base of which is an iron, file-marked, restored plume pipe; there are plugged holes at the L rear of the skull, possibly from a former plumeholder. The brow is drawn out in an upturned pointed fall with turned and roped finish over a wire core.

The base of the skull has a narrow, curved flange, at the ends of which is riveted a bluntly pointed nape lame with medial ridge, and is finished as the fall. The rear neck flange is restored or associated. The base of the skull and the brow, as well as the edge of the nape lame are followed by a row of low domed iron rivets. Those of the skull itself retain a leather lining-band beneath thin, flat, irregularly circular washers.

The skull is fitted with deep, rounded cheekpieces (the left is associated), each working on a restored hinge at the rear edge. Each cheekpiece is pierced with holes in a circular pattern for hearing; there are 9 holes on the right and 8 holes on the left. The cheekpieces are triangularly flanged to fit over the ends of the fall, and curve forward on their anterior edges. These and the lower edges are inwardly turned and file-roped. The basal edge of each cheekpiece is flanged outwardly. Both cheekpieces are bordered by lining rivets with sections of the leather lining-band within.

The exterior of the burgonet, now bright, may once have been blackened.
ProvenanceAnonymous Eastern European collection Bashford Dean Purchased by John W. Higgins on November 23, 1928 from American Art Association (NY), lot no. 145 (Dean armor sale). Given to the Museum on December 31, 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

On View

Not on view

Collections