Close Helmet from a Garniture Made for a Member of the d'Avalos Family

ca. 1560–70
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 371
This helmet was originally part of a complete field armor made for a member of the d’Avalos family, probably Ferrante Francesco d’Avalos (1531–1571), marquis of Vasto, who served the king of Spain as governor of Milan (1560–63), viceroy of Sicily (1568–71), and commander-in-chief of Spanish forces in northern Italy. The only other surviving parts of the armor, in addition to the helmet, are a shoulder and arm defense in the Bavarian National Museum, Munich. The distinctive and finely executed decoration ranks among the best examples of Augsburg armor ornament from this period.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Close Helmet from a Garniture Made for a Member of the d'Avalos Family
  • Date: ca. 1560–70
  • Geography: Augsburg
  • Culture: German, Augsburg
  • Medium: Steel, gold
  • Dimensions: H. 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm); W. 10 in. (25.4 cm); D. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm); Wt. 9 lb. (4082 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McMillan Welch, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.153.3
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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