Portions of a Jousting Helmet
1570/80
Medium
Steel, gilding, and leather
Dimensions
H.: 40.6 cm (16 in.)
Classification
suit-helmet
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
112092
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The manufacture of armor was a highly complex task requiring great skill and expertise. The visor and bevor were part of the armor worn in the joust, a type of sporting combat fought between pairs of mounted contestants who tried to unhorse each other using lances. The visor was a movable plate attached to the helmet to protect the face, while the bevor was used to shield the chin and upper throat. Here the right side of the bevor is fitted with a small door that could be opened by the wearer fo...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...