ticketsMember | Make a donation

Comb Morion

ca. 1560–65
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 371
This helmet is an outstanding example of parade armor made in northern Germany for the court of Duke Heinrich the Younger of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (r. 1514–68) and his son Julius (r. 1568–89). Characteristic of the Brunswick school is the prominent and finely etched figural decoration, with historical, mythological, and biblical subjects.

The etching on this morion is exceptionally accomplished and includes (on the raised comb) portrait medallions of Alexander the Great and Antonia Sabina Augusta, wife of the Roman emperor Hadrian. The classical subjects, complex design, and horror vacui typify the northern Mannerist aesthetic. The decoration on the left side includes a shield emblazoned with three small shields—the emblem of the guild of Saint Luke, the painter's guild to which many etchers belonged. The quality and originality of the etching suggest that this helmet may have been the artist's "masterpiece," submitted to the guild by the etcher as proof that he had attained sufficient skill to be designated a master of his craft.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Comb Morion
  • Date: ca. 1560–65
  • Geography: Brunswick, Lower Saxony
  • Culture: German, Brunswick
  • Medium: Steel
  • Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); W. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm); D. 16 5/8 in. (40.3 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 8 oz. (2040 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Sulzberger Foundation Inc. and Ronald S. Lauder Gifts, 1999
  • Object Number: 1999.62
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Armor, Steel, leather, German, possibly Brunswick
Armor
German, possibly Brunswick
ca. 1535
Armor, Steel, leather, German, possibly Brunswick
Armor
German, possibly Brunswick
ca. 1535
Foot-Combat Helm of Sir Giles Capel (1485–1556), Steel, possibly British
Foot-Combat Helm of Sir Giles Capel (1485–1556)
possibly British
ca. 1510
Burgonet with Falling Buffe, Steel, gold, French
Burgonet with Falling Buffe
French
ca. 1550
Armet, LIONARDO Italian, Steel, copper alloy, Italian, probably Milan
Armet
LIONARDO
ca. 1440

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

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.