aic-armor: Close Helmet for the Tourney, 1570, Art Institute of Chicago: Arms, Armor, Medieval, and
aic-armor:Close Helmet for the Tourney, 1570, Art Institute of Chicago: Arms, Armor, Medieval, and RenaissanceThis helmet was used in the sport of the tourney, a mock battle on horseback or on foot. To protect against dangerous trusts entering under the helmet’s neck plates, the helmet’s collar is designed to rotate on a rim that closes over the separate gorget or neck defense. Though this allowed for some lateral head movement, it was a more restrictive alternative to the overlapping plates on close helmets for the field of battle.The upper visor is reinforced with an additional plate to deflect strikes from a lance or sword. This reinforce was repaired with a riveted and braised patch covering the left visor pivot; together, with sword cuts over the comb or center ridge of the helmet, this repair suggests this piece received some heavy use.George F. Harding CollectionSize: H. 30.5 cm (12 in.)Medium: Steel, brass, and leatherhttps://www.artic.edu/artworks/112089/ -- source link