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Close-Helmet for the Tournament

late 16th century
Not on view
This helmet seems to have been designed for foot combat at the barriers, a sport in which pairs of contestants wearing armor only to the waist (hitting below the belt was forbidden) fought with pikes or swords over a separating wooden barrier. A brow reinforce was originally riveted to the visor. The long threaded bolt projecting from the upper bevor is a later working-life addition apparently intended to affix a reinforce (buffe) for mounted use in the tourney. The bowl and bevor retain their original linen-covered padded linings and shock-absorbing suspension straps between the bowl and the lining.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Close-Helmet for the Tournament
  • Date: late 16th century
  • Geography: probably Augsburg
  • Culture: German, probably Augsburg
  • Medium: Steel, leather, textile
  • Dimensions: H. 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm); W. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm); D. 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm); Wt. 10 lb. 6 oz. (4700 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.25.548
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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