LOT 0274

European Savoyard Burgonet

CIRCA 1620 A.D.

10 in. (1.14 kg, 25 cm high).

Comprising a full face shield with broad wavy bars and a small mouth opening, a wide hinged visor; the visor and the front section of the helmet secured by large hook-and-eye closures on the right-hand side; the crown with a tall ridge running from front to back, small collar for protecting the neck.

Acquired from Andrew Bennett in 2016.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of a payment confirmation from Andrew Bennett, dated 1st June 2016.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11768-203986.

Cf. Pyhrr, S.W., European Helmets, 1450-1650, Treasures from the Reserve Collection, New York, 2000, cat.nos.61-62.

This variation of the burgonet helmet is thought to have originated in the Savoy region of southeast France, and was very popular with heavy cavalry (Reiters) serving with a variety of Continental armies of the period. The term Savoyard is a reference to a large number of these helmets that the Swiss captured from the troops of the Duke of Savoy during an unsuccessful assault on the city of Genoa in 1602. The undulated bars and the small mouth of the visor are all indicative of the Savoyard style. The hinges on the side allowed the front of the helmet as a whole to be lifted away from the rear, aiding the wearer to place it over his head.