Great Sallet

Unknown

late 14th–mid-15th century · Steel · Arms and Armor

This helmet is part of a unique group of late medieval helmets and armor fragments that was discovered about 1840 in the ruins of a Venetian fortress at Chalcis, on the Greek island of Euboea. Founding curator of the Arms and Armor Department at the Metropolitan Museum Bashford Dean saw the Chalcis group in Athens in the 1890s and, recognizing its rarity and importance, eventually was able to acquire a substantial portion of it (a selection is on permanent display in the Museum, gallery 373). After Dean's death, this helmet was owned by Clarence H. Mackay, a major art collection, trustee of the Museum, and great admirer of Dean. It later belonged to Dean's successor, Stephen Grancsay, who subsequently donated it to the Museum.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 14th–mid-15th century

Medium

Steel

Culture

Italian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942