Armor
ca. 1515 and later
Medium
Steel, gold, leather
Dimensions
Helmet (04.3.286a); H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm); D. 13 in. (33 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 12 oz. (2146 g)
Classification
Armor for Man
Culture
German, Augsburg and Landshut
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1904
Accession Number
04.3.286a–s
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of Renaissance warfare with this stunning helmet, part of an armor ensemble crafted by the master armorer Kolman Helmschmid around 1515 and later. Hailing from the German cities of Augsburg and Landsh—renowned centers of metalworking excellence—this piece exemplifies the height of early 16th-century European arms craftsmanship. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1904, it now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art Arms and Armor Department, standing as a testament to the fusion of function and artistry. Forged from robust steel, adorned with luxurious gold, and lined with l...
About the Artist
Kolman Helmschmid · 1471–1532
**Kolman Helmschmid: Master Armourer of the Renaissance** Kolman Helmschmid (1471–1532), born in Augsburg, Germany, emerged from one of Europe's most illustrious families of armourers, the Helmschmieds, whose name aptly means "helmet smith." The son of the renowned Lorenz Helmschmied (active 1467–1515), Kolman trained within the family workshop, taking control after his father's death in 1515 and...