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Sallet

Anonymous (Italian)

Antonio Missaglia

ca. 1450

steel

66 9/16 x 26 11/16 x 20 7/8 in. (169 x 67.8 x 53 cm)

Description
An open helmet, such as the sallet (from the Italian celata, "head covering"), which does not encase the head or fasten to the armor, is cooler and allows the wearer to turn his head easily. However, the weight-here 6 lb. 3 oz.-is not distributed onto the shoulders but is borne entirely by the head and neck. The tiny holes are for rivets that attached a cloth lining. This style of sallet, fitted closer to the head than the German form seen nearby, was developed in Venice, but this example was produced in Milan, a center for the highest quality armor.
Additional Information

Acquired by Henry Walters, 1921

51.580

Not on view

Milan, Italy


Provenance

Sale, American Art Association, New York, November 19, 1921, no. 316; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1921 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

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