Pointed Morion

Unknown

ca. 1570–80 · Steel, brass · Arms and Armor

The etched decoration includes a rampant lion, the heraldic emblem of the north Italian city of Brescia. Above the lion is a double-armed cross symbolizing the venerated reliquary of the Holy Cross in Brescia's cathedral, and to the sides are Saints Faustino and Giovita, protectors of the city. After Milan, Brescia was the largest producer of armor in Italy, and this helmet, which is one of a series of identical examples, provides concrete evidence of the Brescian style of armor decoration.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1570–80

Medium

Steel, brass

Culture

Italian, Brescia

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913