One of my first cabassets. I was looking for one. I had been for a while. They tended to be about the cheapest helmet you could get and all I had was little pieces. This would be something "real" that normal people would recognize as a piece of armour. I didn't know how auctions worked, and I wanted to get one, and they were selling several, so I faxed over written bids on 5 of the cabassets. Oops. I bought all of them. I didn't know you could write "or" or other instructions on the bid form.
Western European Cabasset circa 1600
Rounded bowl formed in one piece rising to a slight point at the center of the top. Creased along the center and with a small stalk bent backwards at the point. Narrow brim slightly down turned. Brim with inward turn and narrow recess at the edge. Bottom of the helmet bowl with holes for lining rivets. 14 holes. Helmet 7 1/4 inches tall. Inside of bowl 7 inches wide and 8 1/4 inches long. Brim app. 1 inch wide at the sides and app. 1 1/4 inches wide at the front and back point. Acid cleaned. All lining rivets missing. Originally smooth finish. The Royal Armouries bought one of this same series - IV.2018. It is marked with the purported Barberini mark, unlike this one which is unmarked. One of a very large series of morions from a hoard which were sold through Wallis and Wallis in small numbers from 1978 to 2003. The first such example appears to be 26-8 June 1978 lot 1354. This one sole 17 July 1996. [inv. num. A-11]