Subject: jinete cavalry
Culture: Moorish
Setting: late Nasrid dynasty, Granada 14-15thc
Object: armor
Lord of Battles *
* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Helmet Steel, gold, silver, cloisonné enamel
Spanish, probably Nasrid period, late 15th century
This helmet is traditionally said to have been that of Abū 'Abd Allāh Muhammad, known in the West as Boabdil, the last Nasrid king of Granada (reigned 1482-83 and again 1487-92). If this is indeed so, it is the only known example of armor from the entire Nasrid period in Spain (1230-1492).
"The helmet has the form of a typical Spanish Sallet of the latle fifteenth century. The cutouts over the eyes, however, were inspired by Islamic helmets. The extraordinarily rich decoration, which includes cloisonné enamels and finely tooled designs in gold leaf, has close parallels in surviving Nasrid sword fittings and jewelry. The fact that the bowl has been pierced to fit the enamels and is lined with riveted plates to support them, suggests that the helmet was created exclusively for ceremonial use." ...
