Close Helmet for Foot Combat

the Master of the Castle Mark

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This helmet was intended for use in a tournament fought on foot over a waist-high barrier. Because it was made for the tournament, it is about twice as heavy as a battle helmet of the same period. The presence in the decoration of the distinctive Savoy knot, an emblem of the Order of the Annunciation, indicates that the helmet was made for a member of the house of Savoy, perhaps Duke Emanuele Filiberto (1588–1624). A complete armor for foot combat with identical decoration is in the Museo Civico, Brescia.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art