Armor of Giovanni Battista Bourbon del Monte (1541–1614)

ca. 1590

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 371

Del Monte (1541–1614) was a mercenary soldier who at various times served the emperor, the pope, the kings of Spain and France, and the Venetian Republic. This armor dates from the period of del Monte’s service to Venice as captain-general of infantry. It probably was made in Brescia, an armor-making center then under Venetian control.

The armor is notable for its elegantly pointed helmet with a steel plume and for the etched and gilt decoration in imitation of a textile pattern. Overall decoration of this kind was especially fashionable in the period from 1590 to 1610.

A portrait of del Monte in the Museo Stibbert, Florence, shows this armor with its shoulder pieces, arms and gauntlets, now missing.

Two glaives bearing the del Monte coat of arms are also in the Metropolitan Museum's collection (acc. nos. 04.3.88, .89). Originally, they would have been carried by the captain-general’s personal guards.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Armor of Giovanni Battista Bourbon del Monte (1541–1614)
Date: ca. 1590
Geography: possibly Brescia
Culture: Italian, possibly Brescia
Medium: Steel, gold, textile, leather
Dimensions: Wt. of helmet 4 lb. 12 oz. (2155 g)
Classification: Armor for Man-1/2 Armor
Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Object Number: 14.25.710a–f
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Glaive of the Bodyguard of Giovanni Battista Bourbon del Monte (1541–1614), Steel, wood, brass, gold, textile, Italian, Brescia — Glaive of the Bodyguard of Giovanni Battista Bourbon del Monte (1541–1614)
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ca. 1590–1600

Glaive of the Bodyguard of Giovanni Battista Bourbon del Monte (1541–1614), Steel, wood, gold, brass, textile, Italian, Brescia — Glaive of the Bodyguard of Giovanni Battista Bourbon del Monte (1541–1614)
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Horse Armor Probably Made for Count Antonio IV Collalto (1548–1620), Steel, leather, copper alloy, textile, Italian, probably Brescia — Horse Armor Probably Made for Count Antonio IV Collalto (1548–1620)
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Cantle Plate (Rear Saddle Plate) From a Horse Armor Probably Made for Count Antonio IV Collalto (1548–1620), Steel, Italian, probably Brescia — Cantle Plate (Rear Saddle Plate) From a Horse Armor Probably Made for Count Antonio IV Collalto (1548–1620)
Italian, probably Brescia
ca. 1580–90

Field Armor of King Henry VIII
of England (reigned 1509–47), Steel, gold, textile,
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