Burgonet

Unknown

ca. 1550 · Steel, gold · Arms and Armor

The medallions on either side of the bowl are embossed with scenes from Greek mythology depicting the Battle of Centaurs and Lapiths, a popular subject in Renaissance art. The compositions derive in part from design by Rosso Fiorentino (1494–1540), one of the Italian artists called to Fontainebleau to work for the French court. Probably made for Henry II of France (reigned 1547–59), the helmet passed as a diplomatic gift to the Medici court in Florence later in the sixteenth century. It is illustrated in a portrait of Cosimo II de' Medici (1590–1621), grand duke of Tuscany, in the Metropolitan Museum's collection (acc. no. 22.150).

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1550

Medium

Steel, gold

Culture

French

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1904