Summer Fine Art and Collectibles Auction
Lot 5:
Description
Amazing and beautiful mid 14th to late 16th Century German “Great Helm” Topfhelm Helmet which we have been told by several leading experts that this helmet most likely was used into the 17th century as a funeral Helmet. Somewhere around 16th century Great helms became a popular part of Funeral Achievements. Funerary helmets, also known as mortuary helms, were a significant part of the armor placed above or near the carved memorial effigies of knights and nobility from the 14th to the 17th centuries. These helmets were often painted to reduce corrosion. In the 16th century, the tradition of using funerary helmets became more widespread, with even some merchants being granted the right to this honor. The helmets used could be actual pieces of armor worn by the deceased in life, either in battle or at jousts. We believe that this Great Helm is defiantly late medieval period and later used in a burial probably around the time of Elizabeth I of England. It still retains remittance of it’s original tarred black paint . provenance: Collection from Edinburgh, Scotland. Dimensions” 13″H x 10″ L x 8″ W, 10.9 lbs.
Condition report:
Helmet body retains areas of the original dark black funeral paint. It shows heavy oxidation, areas of rust especially on the inside back where the head of the deceased would have rested. Areas of missing metal along the bottom edges which appear to be filed down to avoid further deterioration and injury. Some heavy cleaning and possibly some restoration work to the front cross bar. Construction is consistent with period blacksmithing and it shows appropriate and consistent metal deterioration from a piece being over 500 years old. This helmet has defiantly been cared for over it\'s lifetime.
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