Armet
1520-1540 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This style of helmet that closely follows the line of the neck is known as an armet and gradually replaced the long-tailed helmets popular in northern Europe at the end of the 15th century. Its hinged visor allows only limited visibility as the helmet was designed for jousting in which one only need to move forwards in a straight line.
Jousting was a dangerous sport that formed an essential part of a Renaissance nobleman's training. Separated by a barrier, opposing knights charged each other on horseback and through limited vision amid the sound of thundering hooves, aimed to break each other’s lance. The helmet’s narrow eye-slits reduced the risk of facial injury.
The helmet is decorated with ridges that imitate contemporary headwear and the pleating of cloth as well as add strength. It would have been worn as part of a matching armour. Jousting armour was extremely heavy to protect specific target areas. The vertical ‘fluting’ decoration was popular during the reign of the Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519).
Jousting was a dangerous sport that formed an essential part of a Renaissance nobleman's training. Separated by a barrier, opposing knights charged each other on horseback and through limited vision amid the sound of thundering hooves, aimed to break each other’s lance. The helmet’s narrow eye-slits reduced the risk of facial injury.
The helmet is decorated with ridges that imitate contemporary headwear and the pleating of cloth as well as add strength. It would have been worn as part of a matching armour. Jousting armour was extremely heavy to protect specific target areas. The vertical ‘fluting’ decoration was popular during the reign of the Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel, forged |
| Brief description | Four sided armet with fluted skull and roped comb, hinged cheekpieces and 'monkey-faced' visor in the 'Maximilian' style, Germany, 1530-40 |
| Physical description | Four sided armet with fluted skull and roped comb, hinged cheekpieces and 'monkey-faced' visor. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr G. H. Ramsbottom, through Art Fund |
| Object history | This style of helmet that closely follows the line of the neck is known as an armet and gradually replaced the long-tailed helmets popular in northern Europe at the end of the 15th century. Its hinged visor allows only limited visibility as the helmet was designed for jousting when one only needed to move forwards in a straight line. The museum acquired the helmet in 1931 when it was bequeathed by Mr G. H. Ramsbottom through The Art Fund |
| Historical context | Jousting was a dangerous sport that formed an essential part of a Renaissance nobleman's training. Separated by a barrier, opposing knights charged each other on horseback and through limited vision amid the sound of thundering hooves, aimed to break each other’s lance. The helmet’s narrow eye-slits reduced the risk of facial injury. The helmet is decorated with ridges that imitate contemporary headwear and the pleating of cloth as well as add strength. It would have been worn as part of a matching armour. Jousting armour was extremely heavy to protect specific target areas. The vertical ‘fluting’ decoration was popular during the reign of the Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This style of helmet that closely follows the line of the neck is known as an armet and gradually replaced the long-tailed helmets popular in northern Europe at the end of the 15th century. Its hinged visor allows only limited visibility as the helmet was designed for jousting in which one only need to move forwards in a straight line. Jousting was a dangerous sport that formed an essential part of a Renaissance nobleman's training. Separated by a barrier, opposing knights charged each other on horseback and through limited vision amid the sound of thundering hooves, aimed to break each other’s lance. The helmet’s narrow eye-slits reduced the risk of facial injury. The helmet is decorated with ridges that imitate contemporary headwear and the pleating of cloth as well as add strength. It would have been worn as part of a matching armour. Jousting armour was extremely heavy to protect specific target areas. The vertical ‘fluting’ decoration was popular during the reign of the Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519). |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.2705-1931 |
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| Record created | March 29, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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