Subject: infantry
Culture: Venetian
Setting: maritime empire, Aegean mid-late 15thc
Object: armor
* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Steel, gilt copper, glass, polychromy
Italian, about 1460
This helmet is the earliest surviving example of Renaissance armor all'antica (in the antique style). The helmet represents the head of the Nemean Lion, whose pelt was worn as a headdress and cloak by the mythological hero Hercules. He was frequently portrayed in Renaissance art as a symbol of indomitable strength, courage, and perseverance.
"The gilt copper lion's head is mounted over a steel sallet made specifically for this purpose. The helmet retains its original padded canvas lining." ...* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Sallet alla veneziana
Steel, gilt copper, velvet
Italian, about 1470; gilt mounts probably added in early 16th century
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, armor was frequently decorated by means of fabric coverings, gilt metal appliqués, and even jewels. Sallets covered with red velvet and decorated with gilt mounts were especially popular in Venice and continued to be worn in Venetian civic pageants well into the eighteenth century. The coat of arms at the brow of this example is that of the Capelli family." ...
* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Armet
Steel
Italian, about 1490" ...
"Cuirass
Steel
Italian or Flemish, about 1510-15" ...
* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Cuirass
Steel, etched and partly gilt
Italian or Flemish,
about 1490-1500" ...
* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Tournament Helm
Steel
Italian,
about 1475-1500
For use in the joust, a contest between two combatants mounted on horses and armed with blunted lances. Stamped with an unidentified armorer's mark: PA beneath a crown." ...
