ticketsMember | Make a donation

Jousting Sallet (Rennhut) Made for Louis II (1506–1526), King of Hungary and Bohemia

Armorer Attributed to Kolman Helmschmid German
ca. 1525
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 374
The helmet was intended for the Scharfrennen, a joust fought by two mounted contestants armed with sharp lances. The conjoined initials L and M, for Louis II of Hungary (1506–1526) and his wife, Maria of Austria, are featured prominently in the decoration. Discovered in the collection of the former imperial arsenal in Istanbul, the helmet was presumably captured by the Turks when they overran much of eastern Europe between 1526 and 1529. Louis II was killed in the battle of Mohács on August 29, 1526, while defending Hungary against the Turkish invasion.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Jousting Sallet (Rennhut) Made for Louis II (1506–1526), King of Hungary and Bohemia
  • Armorer: Attributed to Kolman Helmschmid (German, Augsburg 1471–1532)
  • Date: ca. 1525
  • Geography: Augsburg
  • Culture: German, Augsburg
  • Medium: Steel, copper alloy, gold
  • Dimensions: H. 10 in. (25.4 cm); W. 15 in. (38.1 cm); D. 10 in. (25.4 cm); Wt. 9 lb. (4082 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McMillan Welch, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.153.1
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Falling Buffe, Kolman Helmschmid German, Steel, textile (wool, canvas), German, Augsburg
Falling Buffe
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1525
Right Arm Defense
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1520
Buffe (Face Defense)
Kolman Helmschmid
1534–36
Left Arm Defense
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1520
Half Armor, Kolman Helmschmid German, Steel, German, Augsburg
Half Armor
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1510–20 and later

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 5

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.