Helmet in the Shape of a Cavalier's Hat
Unknown Artist
ca. 1630–50
Medium
Steel, gold, textile
Dimensions
H. including nasal 10 in. (25.4 cm); H excluding nasal 6 in. (15.2 cm); W. 7 in. (17.8 cm); D. 13 in. (33 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 7 oz. (1550 g)
Classification
Helmets
Culture
probably British
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929
Accession Number
29.158.53
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the turbulent world of 17th-century Britain with this extraordinary *Helmet in the Shape of a Cavalier's Hat*, crafted around 1630–50. During the English Civil War era, Cavaliers—staunch Royalists loyal to King Charles I—were famed for their flamboyant wide-brimmed hats, feathered plumes, and dashing attire. This helmet ingeniously mimics that iconic style, transforming deadly steel into a fashionable headpiece for battle or parade. Likely British in origin, it reflects how armor evolved to blend protection with personal flair, bridging the gap between battlefield utility and courtly...