A NORTH ITALIAN MORION C.1580-1600

This helmet represents the morion in its finest form.  It is forged from a single piece with a high elegant roped edge comb and elegantly upswept brim.  The base of the skull retains all of its brass rosettes and brass capped rivets which once secured the liner bands as well as the base mounts for the plume holder, now removed.  It is decorated overall in panels of foliage on a pelletized ground bordered by strap work.  Central panels of putti in various pursuits adorn the skull and crest, both sides.  Helmets such as this were worn with half armor, primarily by guard units which defended royal, noble and clerics of high station.  In the absence of police protection as we know it, such guards were a necessity and set their charges apart from the masses who were left to defend themselves.

GC.499