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Burgonet all'Antica

ca. 1535–45
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 374
Classically inspired helmets embossed in high relief, sometimes in the form of fantastic beasts, were a specialty of Milanese armorers in the 1530s and 1540s. Unlike etching, embossing thinned and weakened the steel and compromised its deflective qualities, so the technique generally was limited to armors intended for ceremonial wear. While this burgonet falls far short of the high standard of modeling and finish typical of works by Filippo Negroli (ca. 1510–1579) or his cousin Giovan Paolo (ca. 1513–1569), the leading masters of armor all'antica ("in the antique manner"), it nevertheless remains a characteristic example of this classicizing Renaissance art form. The helmet is forged from a single plate of steel, the surfaces retaining only faint traces of the original fire-gilding and silver damascened details.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Burgonet all'Antica
  • Date: ca. 1535–45
  • Geography: probably Milan
  • Culture: Italian, probably Milan
  • Medium: Steel, gold, silver
  • Dimensions: H. 10 13/16 (27.5 cm); W. 8 1/16 (20.5 cm); D. 11 5/8 in. (29.6 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 12 oz. (1709 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.25.597
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

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Burgonet, Filippo Negroli Italian, Steel, gold, textile, Italian, Milan
Burgonet
Filippo Negroli
dated 1543
Armet, LIONARDO Italian, Steel, copper alloy, Italian, probably Milan
Armet
LIONARDO
ca. 1440
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
Burgonet, Steel, gold, Italian, Milan
Burgonet
Italian, Milan
ca. 1550–55

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