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Pointed Morion

ca. 1560–70
Not on view
In contrast to the bold sculptural forms of earlier Milanese parade armor (for example, acc. no. 20.150.2), embossed armor made in the second half of the sixteenth century was flatter and more pictorial, often with entire figural scenes from prints reproduced on the steel surfaces. The costumes are invariably gold-damascened, the skin of the figures is silvered. This example is embossed on both sides with variant scenes depicting the Roman hero Mucius Scaevola placing his hand in the fire before King Porsena.

This distinctive form of lightweight infantryman's helmet, characterized by an almond-shaped bowl with turned-back point at the apex and a short brim, is referred to in contemporary English documents as a "Spanish morion." The term alludes to the common use of such helmets by Spanish troops rather than their place of manufacture, which was usually Italy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pointed Morion
  • Date: ca. 1560–70
  • Geography: Milan
  • Culture: Italian, Milan
  • Medium: Steel, copper alloy (brass), gold, silver, leather
  • Dimensions: H. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm); W. at base 9 5/16 in. (23.7 cm); D. at base 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 15 oz. (1341 g)
  • Classification: Helmets
  • Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.25.620
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
Rebecchino, Boxwood, rosewood, ebony, Italian
Rebecchino
Italian
ca. 1420
Morion for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony, Steel, gold, brass, leather, textile, German, Nuremberg
Morion for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony
German, Nuremberg
dated 1568
Burgonet, Filippo Negroli Italian, Steel, gold, textile, Italian, Milan
Burgonet
Armorer Filippo Negroli
dated 1543
Morion for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony, Martin Schneider the Younger German, Steel, gold, brass, leather, German, Nuremberg
Morion for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony
Armorer Probably Martin Schneider the Younger
ca. 1570
Elements of an Italian Light-Cavalry Armor <i>alla Tedesca</i> (in the German Fashion), Steel, gold, copper alloy, leather, Italian, Milan
Elements of an Italian Light-Cavalry Armor alla Tedesca (in the German Fashion)
Italian, Milan
ca. 1510

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