20 August 2013

Ceremonial helmet of Emperor Charles V (1540)

There is no more splendid example of European dress as high political propaganda than the ceremonial armor made for the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperors Maximilian I and Charles V and for Charles’ son, Philip II of Spain. They employed the greatest sculptural metalworkers on the continent... Such armor was rarely intended as practical protection during battle; rather it had a starring role in parades, jousting tournaments and court rituals and was favored attire for official portraits.
This helmet was crafted by Desiderius Helmschmid and is now in the collections of the Patrimonio Nacional, Real Armería, Madrid.  Image via Uncertain Times.

4 comments:

  1. Top notch.

    This one is pretty interesting, too:

    http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.ca/2011/08/horned-helmet-of-henry-viii-1514.html

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    1. You beat me to it.

      http://www.youtube.com/v/05-jkGrYqDI

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  2. Replies
    1. Looks like a hounskull bascinet with a very elaborate moveable visor. One assumes that he could lower the visor and still see, but this angle leaves a lot of questions.

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