A Burgonet Helmet for wear with a Foot

or Light Cavalry Armour

c. 1540 – 50

Germany, probably a northern workshop. Steel and textile, later cheek pieces.

21.5 cm / 8.5 in × 20.25 cm / 8 in

Provenance

Collection Jeanne et Robert-Jean Charles, Armes et Souvenirs Historiques, part 3, Paris-Hôtel Drouot, 9 th December 1993, lot 555.

The present burgonet is distinguished in particular by the rare addition of a pair of very low, boldly cabled subsidiary combs or crests running along both flanks of the medial comb. A helmet skull with five raised combs is highly unusual; the forging would require additional skill and come at corresponding expense. This helmet is further elevated by the addition of a plume-holder with a carefully pierced chiselled terminal and retains an early textile lining.

A related example embossed with three combs is in the Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, formerly the historic city zeughaus collection (Inv.-Nr. W4440).