Italy
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Objectarmor: Close-helmet
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSteel, gold, silver
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SizeHelmet (a); H. 13 in. (33 cm); W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); D. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm); Wt. 5 lb. 2.4 oz. (2336 g); brim (b); H. 3 in. (7.6 cm); W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); D. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm); Wt. 12.7 oz. (360 g)
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Geography detailsCountry of Origin
Town Milan,
Italy -
Country today
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Dateca. 1587
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CultureItalian, Milan
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
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Although incomplete––the face defense and collar lames are missing––this helmet is nevertheless an outstanding example of late-sixteenth-century Milanese armor. Its rich decoration, which is chiseled, punched, and damascened in gold and silver, includes eagles, crowns, and a monogram comprising the letters V and F (or VFL). An armor with identical decoration appears in a portrait of Vincenzo I Gonzaga (1562–1612), duke of Mantua (Palazzo Ducale, Mantua), thought to have been painted about 1587, the year of his accession. Other portions of this armor, which appears to have been a large garniture intended for field, mounted tournament, and foot combat at the barriers, are preserved in the Musée de l’Armée, Paris, and the Armeria Reale, Turin.