Cabasset late 16th c.
North Italian. One piece skull rising to a short flattened stalk at the top. Base of the skull with holes for lining rivets and a narrow downturned brim with a an inward turned roll and narrow recess. Originally ground and polished finish. Retains a grey surface color that may be the remains of an early blue/black finish. Additional hole at the back of the brim - these are usually assumed to be to hang the helmet from a wall, beam or post. 21.5 cm tall. Provenance: Stated to be from the old Papal armory, now the Museo Storico Vaticano in the Lateran Palace, Rome. Then Fenton and Son, London by 1919.
If you have any questions, please send them to Wade Allen
This site last updated Wed Jul 12 13:02:12 EDT 2023