Cabasset

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The etched decoration includes a rampant lion, the heraldic emblem of the north Italian city of Brescia. Above the lion is a double-armed cross symbolizing the venerated reliquary of the Holy Cross in Brescia's cathedral, and to the sides are Saints Faustino and Giovita, protectors of the city. After Milan, Brescia was the largest producer of armor in Italy, and this helmet, which is one of a series of identical examples, provides concrete evidence of the Brescian style of armor decoration.

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