Sallet
c. 1460
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
H.: 24.6 cm (9 3/4 in.)
Classification
suit-helmet
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
112067
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In 15th-century Germany, the sallet was the most common helmet. This example is now missing a front visor that pivoted on two holes over the temples. Its deep, rounded form offered superior protection for the head and deflected blows away from the neck and shoulders. The design was so effective that sallets like this inspired the German helmet used in World War I and II.
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...