ticketsMember | Make a donation

Close-Helmet

ca. 1515, and later
Not on view
The bowl of this helmet is the sole surviving fragment of a rare etched and gilt Italian close-helmet "in the German style" (alla tedesca). The term refers to the channeled surfaces, or fluting, a decorative treatment characteristic of German armors of 1510 to 1530 (acc. nos. 29.158.1a, 14.25.515, 04.3.242) that was enthusiastically imitated by Italian armorers. Struck at the back are two armorer's marks: an unusual monogram comprising the letters P and I suporting a T (?) on a crossbar and a two-towered castle––perhaps the marks of the da Castello family of Brescia. After about 1520, for reasons unknown, Italian armorers generally discontinued the time-honored practice of marking their wares; thus, the workshop of origin of few armors made after that date can be identified. The roped comb is a feature dating after about 1515. The bevor and nape plates are modern additions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Close-Helmet
  • Date: ca. 1515, and later
  • Geography: Milan; Brescia
  • Culture: Italian, Milan or Brescia
  • Medium: Steel, leather, gold
  • Dimensions: Bowl (a); H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); W. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm); D. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 11.4 oz. (1684 g); visor with bevor (b, c); H. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); D. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 4.6 oz. (1037.6 g); nape plates (d); H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm); W. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm); D. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm); Wt. 4.8 oz. (136.1 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.25.560a–d
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Burgonet, Filippo Negroli Italian, Steel, gold, textile, Italian, Milan
Burgonet
Filippo Negroli
dated 1543
Field Armor of King Henry VIII of England (reigned 1509–47), Steel, gold, textile, leather, Italian, Milan or Brescia

Field Armor of King Henry VIII of England (reigned 1509–47)

Italian, Milan or Brescia
ca. 1544
Elements of an Italian Light-Cavalry Armor <i>alla Tedesca</i> (in the German Fashion), Steel, gold, copper alloy, leather, Italian, Milan
Elements of an Italian Light-Cavalry Armor alla Tedesca (in the German Fashion)
Italian, Milan
ca. 1510
Armet, LIONARDO Italian, Steel, copper alloy, Italian, probably Milan
Armet
LIONARDO
ca. 1440
Guidobaldo II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1514–1574), With his Armor by Filippo Negroli, Oil on copper, Italian
Guidobaldo II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1514–1574), With his Armor by Filippo Negroli
Italian
ca. 1580–85

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.