ITALIAN CABASSET C.1580-1600

From the Old Papal Armory, bearing the mark of the Barberini family. The Barberinis supplied the armor for the papal army in the late 16th century, a period fraught with anarchy and bandits and direct attacks on papal territories by Parma. The close association led to Maffeo Barberini becoming Pope Urban VIII. His brother Taddeo was made Supreme Commander of the Papal Army. The helmets, including this one, were from the papal armory and served through the papal wars. It is estimated that about 4500 men served the papal army and most would have worn cabassets, making the original number of the group well over 4000. Others from the group are now in the Musio Storico Vaticano in the Lateran Palace Rome. This example retains fine bright finish with a row of brass rosettes and a brass plume holder at the base of the skull and three piece articulate ear flaps. The brim bears a crisp Barberini arsenal mark.

Extended Layaway is available for this item.