A VERY RARE ITALIAN (MILANESE) GOTHIC CASQUE C.1505-10

This helmet is of a type which once was popularly used in Northern Italy, but as with all armor of the Gothic period, nearly all have perished. An example, #A89 in the Wallace Collection cataloged as Milan, 1510 (dated by Blair as 1505-10) is nearly identical. A further nearly identical example is in the collection of the Musee de la Porte de Hal, Brussels, #II.192. Important related examples are #CMA 1916.1642 in the Severance Collection, Cleveland, and the Stibbert Museum, Florence, #M 756. Made without cheek pieces, its form evidently derives from the Gothic salade with a bowl shaped skull embossed in the broad ridged bands popular in Northern Italy and Southern Germany. Indeed, absent its accessory plates, it would be nearly indistinguishable from a Gothic archers salade. A four plate neck defense articulated with sliding rivets and dramatically flared bottom effectively closed the gap between the helmet and cuirass. The pivoting visor protected from the southern sun as well as downward blows which would glance off the skull.

Height: 10 1/4”