'Venetian' sallet: M.1.5-1936

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown (Probably)

Entities

• 'Venetian' sallet
• barbuta

Categories

• Armour

Description

'Venetian' sallet, for field use, later adapted to pageant use. Of deep, one-piece construction with a rounded, medially-ridged crown, a short 'tail' over the neck, and a wide, arched face-opening narrowing slightly towards the bottom. The apex of the crown is pierced with a large keyhole slot for the attachment of a crest. The base of the crown is encircled by thirteen holes for lining-rivets. Beneath them at either side are a further pair of rivet-holes for the attachment of a pair of chin-straps. A pair of rivet-holes also exist at each of the upper corners of the face-opening for the attachment of a reinforcing-strip. Three holes at the brow, two at the nape and another eight at the lower edge of the helmet have been pierced subsequent to manufacture for the attachment of applied ornament. The lower edge of the helmet and of the face-opening have been trimmed at the same time.

Notes

History note: The Eglinton Collection, sold Christie's, London, 25 July 1922, lot 21, £131.5s. Mrs E.W. Stead & Mr. Gilbert Stead of Dalston Hall, Cumberland

Legal notes

Given by Mrs E.W. Stead & Mr. Gilbert Stead

Place(s) associated

• Milan ⪼ Italy

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1936-01-15) by Stead, E. W. and Gilbert

Dating

15th Century, Mid#
Circa 1450 CE - 1460 CE

Note

North Italian

The helmet is pitted and patinated overall.

This helmet, known as a sallet, was based on those used by the Romans and Greeks and were very fashionable in the second half of the 15th century. The lower edge and the face-opening of this helmet have been trimmed and extra rivet holes made indicating that it has been altered for use in pageants, probably in Venice where such helmets continued to be used in parades until at least the 18th century.