Cabasset

Culture Italian

Cultureor Spanish

Dateabout 1600

Mediumiron

Dimensions21.8 × 25.6 × 29.4 cm (8 9/16 × 10 1/16 × 11 9/16 in.), 2 lb, 14.5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1055

DescriptionModerately heavy steel, in excavated, poorly preserved condition, and later painted black, having great loss along medial ridge at top. Rounded one-piece skull of squat almond-shape having low medial ridge. Flat, narrow, integral brim with very slightly pointed ends. Inward, plain turn followed by near-flush lining-rivets. Triangular group of rivets at skull rear probably held now-lost plume pipe. Cheekpieces lost.

Rounded skull of squat, almond shape, of one piece of steel, and embossed with a very low medial ridge from above the flat integral narrow hat-like brim. This is slightly downturned at the sides, with a very slight point at the ends. The edge has an inward, plain turn, bordered by a broad-spaced row of near flush lining-rivets with large, irregularly circular heads within. At the rear of the skull are three rivets in an isoceles triangle pattern, which probably once retained a plume holder. At the sides of the skull, just above the brim, there are two large, roughly circular rivets which secured the leathers of the now-lost cheekpieces.
Label TextThe cabasset originated in the "capacete" of late medieval Spain. During the following century it was refined into a light defense used by officers and infantrymen as well as by some horse soldiers. The cabasset is easily recognized by its almond-shaped skull, often with a rear-angling spur at the top, and its flat, narrow, pointed brim. Triangular cheekpieces were attached with leather and secured under the chin.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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