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LOT 1251
Attractive and Desirable English/Flemish Style Close Helm for the Field - 16th century and later in the English or Flemish
style, this close helm was likely initially used as part of a harness for the field and later used as a funerary achievement for
decoration on the tomb of its original owner. A similar helm with a single ocular is noted as part of the collections of the Earls of
Pembroke and currently housed in The Royal Armouries. Another very similar example can be seen among the European armour
collections of Wade Allen. The skull has a raised keel comb with a roped edge, and a plume ferrule is attached at the rear. The
visor has a roped low keel on the brow which corresponds with the skull, a stepped profile showing French/English influence, two
oculars, and a lifting peg. The ventail sweeps outward to a central point, has a roped upper edge, a slot for the visor lifting peg,
circular ventilation holes on the right, two notches in the lower edge for the propping bar, and a ring for the locking hook. The
bevor is fitted with the propping bar and locking hook for the ventail. There is a leather strap securing the bottom of the bevor to
the skull. The bottom edge of the skull and bevor are flanged and fitted with neck a gorget of two lames and a roped edge. There
are some small empty holes on the lower flanged edges of the skull and bevor and along the top edge of the bevor which once
held a textile lining. The helm was blackened at some
point, likely for preservation.
CONDITION: Good, showing a textured, applied
blackened surface overall, some evidence of
old repairs along the base of the comb and
elsewhere, a few pinprick type holes, and
a few rivets that appear to be replaced.
Surviving examples of these 16th
century helms are
incredibly scarce!
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 1250
Highly Desirable Early
17th Century Northern Italian
Cuirassier Close Helm - Manufactured
c. 1610 to 1630, this is a solid example of an
engraved Northern Italian cuirassier’s close helm. Close
helms of this type were typically worn by horsemen along with a three-quarter armour harness, and they functioned as the heavy
cavalry of the period as well as being the personal guards of nobility and monarchs. A similar example to this helm can be seen
in the Wade Allen Collection of European armour. The skull appears to be of one-piece construction, has roped engraving
along the low central ridge, remnants of a plume ferrule at the rear, and brass rosette type rivets along the back edge
where it meets the neck plate. The two-piece visor is slightly peaked along the center line and is fitted with a brim that
has a roped edge. The ventail has a nasal peak at the center, rolled lower edges of the oculars, a circular pattern of
ventilation holes on the right, and an eyelet for securing closed with a hook on the bevor. The bevor has a roped edge
around the face, some visible rivets which once secured a textile lining, and a hook for securing the ventail. Both the
skull and bevor are fitted with a gorget of one lamae each, brass decorative rivets, and roped edges. The visor, ventail,
bevor, and gorget all have incised border engraving. Having been produced around 400 years ago, few of these helms have
survived, particularly in high condition like this example.
CONDITION: Very good, with a mix of grey and brown patina overall, mild pitting, a partially repaired hole in the top of the skull, a hole
in the rear gorget plate, cracked/bent plume holder, a few pieces of the rosette rivets absent, and the engraving remaining mostly distinct
overall. A very solid example of an early 17th century Italian cuirassier close helm that would be a welcome addition to any prestigious private or
public collection!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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