German Sallet / Closehelm

c1485 - 1495

SOLD

I originally intended this helm for my personal joust harness. Due to my current workload I really have no time for
joust practice so I decided to offer it up for sale.

 

At the start of this project I was basing the design on a Gothic sallet, currently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, made by Lorenze Helmshmid around 1495. Part way through I spoke with Tobias Capwell, curator of Arms and Armour at The Glasgow Museums, who offered some good advice on the design. He sent along some pictures of a similar helm which was made for him by the masterfully talented armourer Robert MacPherson. The more I looked at the pictures of MacPherson's beautiful rendition of this, slightly earlier style, close helm the more it influenced mine.

Integrating both the helmet and the bevor into one unit was a bit challenging and accounts for much of the cost. I feel though, that is design is a much safer alternative for jousting than having the two parts unattached. This style is a bit more restrictive on movement but prevents the skull and visor from tipping back and exposing the eyes after being struck with a lance.

Thank you to Mr. Capwell for your advice and Mr. MacPherson for your inspiration.