Visored Bascinet
1390/1400
Medium
Steel and brass
Dimensions
H.: 24.1 cm (9 1/2 in.)
Classification
suit-helmet
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
112065
Art Historical Context
Step into the armored world of late medieval Europe with the *Visored Bascinet a striking helmet from around 1390–1400, now housed in the Art Institute Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe This steel and brass helmet, standing just 24.1 cm tall, exemplifies the pinnacle of 14th-century armor craftsmanship. Classified as a suit-helmet, it was designed to integrate seamlessly with a full suit of plate armor, offering knights vital head protection during the turbulent era of the Hundred Years' War and feudal conflicts. The bascinet's signature visor—a pivoting face guard—marked a revol...
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...