Spanish morion: HEN.M.40-1933

Maker(s)

Unknown (Uncertain)

Entities

• Spanish morion

Categories

• Armour

Description

'Spanish' morion, for infantry use, with etched decoration. Formed in one piece with an almond-shaped skull that curves down at each side and rises to a short, backward-directed 'stalk' at its apex; and an integral brim that is turned down at each side and curves up to a point at the front and rear. The edge of the brim has a plain, inward turn accompanied by a narrow, recessed border. The base of the crown is encircled by eighteen modern, brass-capped lining-rivets with internal washers. Two of the rivets at the centre left, one at the centre right, and one at the centre rear, differ from the remainder in having larger heads than them and in being fitted with square, rather than circular, internal washers. The rivets at the rear also serve to attach a broad, elaborately-shaped, modern, brass plume-holder with simple punched ornament, while those at the sides also served to attach missing cheek-pieces.
The crown of the helmet is decorated overall with a pattern of interlacing strapwork involving trophies, fantastic animals, foliage, flowerheads and roundels on a blackened ground, and surrounding an oval cartouche at the front and the rear, and a rampant lion at each side. The lion holds a cross in its front paws and a ring in its left rear paw. That on the right side stands in front of a plumed close helmet, while that on the left stands in front of a falchion and shield. The cartouche at the front is decorated with the arms of a bend cotised charged with three estoiles, separating a further four estoiles. The cartouche at the front is decorated with a classical warrior. The brim of the helmet is decorated with stylised acanthus foliage alternating with ovals enclosing flowerheads.

Notes

History note: Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex.

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

16th Century, Late
Production date: circa AD 1580

Note

It is not entirely certain that this helmet is authentic.

North Italian?

The helmet is bright with a light to medium patination overall. Its ornament shows some wear, particularly on the left of the crown.