Burgonet for a Cuirassier

Unknown

ca. 1620–30 · Steel · Arms and Armor

The surfaces are somewhat crudely etched with an overall pattern of strapwork cartouches enclosing trophies, all set against a cross-hatched ground. The decoration and the distinctive profile of the helmet are typically French. The baluster-shaped finial at the apex and large rayed washer below it are features also found on contemporary Flemish helmets and appear to be a conscious revival of the applied helmet ornaments depicted in Burgundian tapestries of the late fifteenth century. This example once belonged to the celebrated English painter Sir Richard Cosway, R.A. (1740–1821), who collected arms and armor as studio props for his history paintings.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1620–30

Medium

Steel

Culture

French

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McMillan Welch, 1929