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Burgonet

Armorer Replacement cheek-pieces made by Leonard Heinrich German
Armorer Replacement cheek-pieced made in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop American
ca. 1540–50; cheekpieces replaced, 1932
Not on view
This burgonet belongs to a series of virtually identical examples having three raised and engrailed combs that were worn by the guards attached to a noble German or Austrian house. Several helmets bear the mark of Augsburg and that of Desiderius Helmschmid (1513–1579), the city's leading armorer in this period (this particular helmet is unmarked). Pairs of holes in the bowl suggest that the surface was covered with fabric, stitched in place, leaving only the tall combs exposed. The forging of a helmet bowl with three tall combs from a single plate of steel required considerable skill; the challenge was also met by Italian armorers, who created triple-combed burgonets for the Farnese guard (see acc. no. 04.3.219). (The cheekpieces are modern replacements made by the Museum's armorer Leonard Heinrich in 1932.)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Burgonet
  • Armorer: Replacement cheek-pieces made by Leonard Heinrich (American (born Germany) Munich 1900–1966 Clarksville, New Jersey) , in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop
  • Armorer: Replacement cheek-pieced made in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop
  • Date: ca. 1540–50; cheekpieces replaced, 1932
  • Geography: Augsburg
  • Culture: German, Augsburg
  • Medium: Steel, leather
  • Dimensions: H. 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm); W. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm); D. 12 in. (30.5 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 15 oz. (2251 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.25.556
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
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T-31 Prototype Abdomen, Groin, and Thigh Armor, Leonard Heinrich German, Steel, textile, metal alloy, American, New York
T-31 Prototype Abdomen, Groin, and Thigh Armor
Multiple artists/makers
1944
T-29 Prototype Right Greave (Shin and Calf Armor), Leonard Heinrich German, Steel, textile, American, New York
T-29 Prototype Right Greave (Shin and Calf Armor)
Multiple artists/makers
1944
T-29 Prototype Right Thigh and Knee Defense ( Poleyn), Leonard Heinrich German, Steel, textile, metal alloy, American, New York
T-29 Prototype Right Thigh and Knee Defense ( Poleyn)
Multiple artists/makers
1944
Model T-21 E2 Helmet Prototype, Leonard Heinrich German, Aluminum, American, New York
Model T-21 E2 Helmet Prototype
Leonard Heinrich
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop
1945
Bashford Dean Presentation Cabinet, Leonard Heinrich German, Wood, iron, American, New York
Bashford Dean Presentation Cabinet
Leonard Heinrich
Harvey Murton
1927

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