Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A very fine embossed steel burgonet in the 16th century North Italian style, the peak surmounted by a monstrous leaf mask, vines trailing back across either side of the high skull and terminating in scrolling leaves and gourds, a plume of leaves rising from the mask and arching back to form a crest, the brim with sunken border embellished with gilding and fine silver stud work forming a pattern of intertwining ribbons, roped edge arched over the ears and forming pointed peaks at front and rear; the interior with later partial leather lining secured with later rivets; presented on a giltwood and ormolu mounted stand bearing the legend "NEGROLI 1537"; and supported on three ormolu sphinx figures - possibly 18th century; the helmet probably 19th century.

Provenance: Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918); Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942); Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009); The Trustees of Exbury House

Footnote: The 16th century witnessed a period of unprecedented creativity and opulence in the embellishment of arms and armour, as exemplified in the oeuvre of the Negroli family of Milan. Stylistic influences included references to the classical world (all'antica), and an exuberant treatment of broader heroic and fantastical themes (all'eroica). The grotesque mask that surmounts the peak of this helmet, and the form of the foliage on the crest are particularly characteristic of this tradition. Filippo Negroli is regarded as the nonpareil of this magnificent aspect of Renaissance culture.