Armet
Unknown Artist
ca. 1500–1510
Medium
Steel, pigment
Dimensions
H. 11 3/4 in. (29.9 cm); W. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm); D. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); Wt. 8 lb. 1 oz. (3655 g)
Classification
Helmets
Culture
British or Flemish
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George D. Pratt, 1925
Accession Number
25.188.21
Art Historical Context
This elegant armet, dating to around 1500–1510 and attributed to British or Flemish origins, exemplifies the pinnacle of late medieval armor craftsmanship. Crafted from steel with applied pigment, it stands just under 12 inches tall, spans about 9 inches wide, and weighs a substantial 8 pounds—perfectly suited to shield a knight's head during the turbulent Renaissance era, when plate armor reached its zenith amid wars like the Italian campaigns. The helmet's medium highlights innovative techniques: steel was meticulously hammered and shaped for a snug, pivoting fit typical of armets, which fe...