Close Helmet in Maximilian Style
Unknown Artist
c. 1520
Medium
steel and brass
Dimensions
30.5 × 21.8 × 32 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
Accession Number
1916.1855
About this artwork
The regular fluting of this helmet is a style known as "Maximilian," named after Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor (1493–1519). Besides being decorative the fluting is a strengthening device that works similar to corrugated metal. This decoration would have been costly as it was time consuming to produce and required precise work. It would have only been available to the wealthiest of clients.