Pikeman's Helmet

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The introduction of firearms into Japan in the sixteenth century resulted in the limited adoption of European helmets and breastplates, which provided more effective protection against gunfire than traditional Japanese armor. This finely made Dutch helmet, a type called a pot, was adapted for reuse in Japan during the mid- to late seventeenth century by the addition of a Japanese-style brow plate and lacquering of the interior and exterior surfaces. It was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum in 1903 as part of Bashford Dean’s private collection, which the Museum purchased in 1904.

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