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Helmet for a Harquebusier

Armorer Probably made in the Royal Workshops at Greenwich British
ca. 1630–40
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 371
Harquebusiers were the last type of cavalry to wear armor in England before it went out of use in the mid- to late seventeenth century. This harquebusier's helmet is rare and important for its richly engraved bands of decoration covered in silver and for the high quality of its workmanship overall. These features suggest it was made in the royal workshops at Greenwich, which were established by Henry VIII in 1511 and were in service until the 1640s.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Helmet for a Harquebusier
  • Armorer: Probably made in the Royal Workshops at Greenwich (British, Greenwich, 1511–1640s)
  • Date: ca. 1630–40
  • Geography: Greenwich; London
  • Culture: British, London or Greenwich
  • Medium: Steel, silver, gold, copper alloy, textile
  • Dimensions: H. 13 7/8 (35.3 cm); W. 9 3/8 (23.8 cm); D. 16 7/16 in. (41.7 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 7 oz. (2010 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2012
  • Object Number: 2012.15
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Pair of Gauntlets Belonging to the Armor of Duke Friedrich Ulrich of Brunswick (1591–1634), Royal Workshops at Greenwich British, Steel, gold, leather, textile, copper alloy, British, Greenwich
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Royal Workshops at Greenwich
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Armor of Henry Herbert (1534–1601), Second Earl of Pembroke, Royal Workshops at Greenwich British, Steel, gold, British, Greenwich
Armor of Henry Herbert (1534–1601), Second Earl of Pembroke
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Armor Garniture, Probably of King Henry VIII of England (reigned 1509–47), Royal Workshops at Greenwich British, Steel, gold, leather, copper alloys, British, Greenwich
Armor Garniture, Probably of King Henry VIII of England (reigned 1509–47)
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dated 1527
Left Gauntlet of Henry (1594–1612), Prince of Wales, Jacob Halder British, Steel, gold, leather, textile, British, Greenwich
Left Gauntlet of Henry (1594–1612), Prince of Wales
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Cross Hilt Sword, Clemens Horn German, Iron, silver, wood, copper alloy, steel, gold, hilt, British, London; blade, German, Solingen
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