Burgonet

Filippo Negroli

dated 1543 · Steel, gold, textile · Arms and Armor

This masterpiece of Renaissance metalwork is signed on the browplate by Filippo Negroli, whose embossed armor was praised by sixteenth-century writers as "miraculous" and deserving "immortal merit." Formed of one plate of steel and patinated to look like bronze, the bowl is raised in high relief with motifs inspired by classical art. The graceful mermaid-like siren forming the helmet's comb holds a grimacing head of Medusa by the hair. The sides of the helmet are covered with acanthus scrolls inhabited by putti, a motif ultimately derived from ancient Roman sculpture and wall paintings.

Artist

Filippo Negroli

Date

dated 1543

Medium

Steel, gold, textile

Culture

Italian, Milan

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917