Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search


myArmoury.com is now completely member-supported. Please contribute to our efforts with a donation. Your donations will go towards updating our site, modernizing it, and keeping it viable long-term.
Last 10 Donors: Anonymous, Daniel Sullivan, Chad Arnow, Jonathan Dean, M. Oroszlany, Sam Arwas, Barry C. Hutchins, Dan Kary, Oskar Gessler, Dave Tonge (View All Donors)

Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > German Sallet and Bevor, circa 1475 Reply to topic
This is a Spotlight Topic  
Author Message
Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin


myArmoury Admin

PostPosted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 5:45 pm    Post subject: German Sallet and Bevor, circa 1475         Reply with quote

A Fine German Sallet with associated Bevor, circa 1475


Click for detailed version

The sallet farmed in one, piece with a rounded crown rising to a low medial keel and encircled at its base by a series of round-headed lining-rivets, moderately long tail, broad stepped vision-slit, and angular outward turn at its lower edge, struck at the front right of its brim with an armourer's mark representing a crossbow bolt; the associated bevor formed of three medially-ridged, articulated plates respectively covering the face, the chin and the throat, the first having a narrow outward turn at its upper edge accompanied by a series of holes for lining-rivets, the second fitted at the right of the chin with a spring-catch to support the first, and flanged at its lower edge to receive the third which descends to a deep central point pierced with a pair of lace-holes.

Sallet: Overall height: 9 1/2 in; Overall length: 16 in; Weight: 5 1/2 lb
Bevor: Overall height: 11 in; Overall width: 63/4 in; Weight: 14 oz



Click for detailed versions

The graceful contours of this fine sallet and bevor immediately identify them as products of the high 'Gothic' era, when the craft of the armourer, in southern Germany in particular, reached what many would regard as its highest point. Although sallets were evidently used in Germany from as early as the first quarter of the 15th century, it is only in the middle years of the century that a distinctively German form of sallet first appeared. Probably inspired in part by the contemporary kettle-hat, it initially exhibited a somewhat bell-shaped form with a deep brim that was drawn out to a short tail over the nape, and cut with a vision-slit at the front. By about 1470 its tail had been slightly lengthened to produce the classic 'sou'wester' shape seen in the present pleasingly proportioned example. Although one-piece sallets similar to that shown here continued to be made until very nearly the end of the century, the tendency after about 1480 was to equip the German sallet with a movable visor in the western European fashion.

The present sallet, with its one-piece construction, its relatively short tail, its strongly convex lower edge and its narrow medial keel, can be counted among the earliest surviving examples of the 'sou'wester' type, made about 1475. Sallets of a similar form and date are recorded in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Ace. Nos. 19.25.576 & 04.3.229), the latter bearing the mark attributed to Adrian Treytz the Elder of Innsbruck; the Hessisches Landesmuseum, Darmstadt, and the Collezione Odescalchi, Rome (Inv. No. 760), both bearing marks attributed to the same maker; the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds (Inv. No. 429), bearing the mark attributed to Christian Treytz of Innsbruck; the Bayerisches Armeemuseum, Ingolstadt (Inv. No. 11778), bearing the same maker's mark; the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Cat. Nos. 44 & 45); and the British Museum, London. Such sallets would normally have been accompanied, as here, by an articulated bevor that protected the wearer's lower face and throat. In the case of the present example, the wearer could, if he desired, have obtained extra ventilation when not in action by depressing the sprung stud at the right of the chin to allow its upper plate to be lowered. Although its flowing lines convey an impression of lightness, the sallet shown here is in fact very solidly constructed with a crown of sufficient thickness to withstand the heaviest of blows. The deep drawing of such a sallet from a single heavy plate called for the highest level of skill from the armourer.

Provenance: Adrian Conan Doyle


Copyright © 2001 Peter Finer

.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jean Thibodeau




Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
Likes: 50 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Spotlight topics: 5
Posts: 8,310

PostPosted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 6:36 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nathan;

Glad to see more topics dealing with armour, not that there is anything wrong with all the emphasis on swords, but it is good to stir things up a bit as sometimes people seem to forget that ALL arms and armour subjects are allowed and even wanted on these forums.

By some coincidence, I should be getting a Eyeslit Kettle Hat from Valentine armouries next week, and although a Kettle Hat is different from a Sallet it does seem like a close relative at least in function: The main difference seem to be that Kettle Hats are more symmetrical while Sallets have a more distinct front and back. ( And predate the Sallet.)

Anyway, a good read, thanks.

You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
View user's profile Send private message
Russ Thomas
Industry Professional



Location: Telemark, Norway
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Reading list: 43 books

Posts: 323

PostPosted: Sat 20 Nov, 2004 7:08 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nathan,

Thanks very much the piece about this sallet.I have been admiring this particular sallet for some time now,ever since I first saw it in the Christies sales catalogue ( December 12th 1997) .It is very much on my list of things to make for ' fun',as soon as I have a chance ! Even better here is the fact that you have a superb view from the back as well. Great stuff ! Big Grin Do you by any chance know of its present whereabouts ?
Many thanks for an interesting article,keep em coming please Big Grin

Regards as ever,

Russ

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero !


http://www.living-history.no
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin


myArmoury Admin

PostPosted: Sat 20 Nov, 2004 11:10 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I don't know the current whereabouts, but it was being offered for sale by Peter Finer in 2002.
.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Russ Thomas
Industry Professional



Location: Telemark, Norway
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Reading list: 43 books

Posts: 323

PostPosted: Sat 20 Nov, 2004 12:47 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks Nathan.I'll have to start getting the catalogues from Peter Finer !! Like the 'Flemish' armet,he does have some really superb and unusual items for sale.This sallet and bevor was estimated at £ 70.000 - £100.000 in the 1997 Christies auction catalogue ! with a lesser Italian export example (sallet only),estimated at £40.000 - £60.000.

Does anyone know by any chance if 'Arbour Antiques' are still in business ? Based in Stratford-upon-Avon,they too had some wonderful items for sale,but with the passing of the late Robin Wiginton I do not know if they are still trading.

Regards as ever,

Russ

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero !


http://www.living-history.no
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni


myArmoury Alumni

Location: New Hampshire
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Likes: 1 page

Posts: 2,160

PostPosted: Sat 20 Nov, 2004 1:06 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Another fine German helm, offered by Peter Finer in 1995. , Mac


'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Russ Thomas
Industry Professional



Location: Telemark, Norway
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Reading list: 43 books

Posts: 323

PostPosted: Sun 21 Nov, 2004 2:31 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Another really fine piece. Judging from the narrow and rather refined taste and execution of the etched decoration ,one might possibly think of this as perhaps coming from one of the Augsburg workshops ?? Helmschmieds perhaps,though at this date it would have been Koloman and not Lorenz that was head of the workshops,Lorenz having died in 1516.
What is really interesting,especially for those who have not been so lucky to get the chance to examine originals, is just how 'squiffy' the lines etc. of some of even the finest pieces sometimes are.We modern armourers spend too much time trying to get all the lines etc. even and parallel,when all too often the original armourers didn't bother too much themselves!

Thankyou for showing the pictures,

Regards as ever,

Russ

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero !


http://www.living-history.no
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Allan Senefelder
Industry Professional



Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 18 Oct 2003

Posts: 1,563

PostPosted: Sun 21 Nov, 2004 6:46 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Like the way the bowel of the sallet is slightly higher twords the medial ridge on the right side than the left in the shot from the rear or the little hook to the right the ridge takes at the very point of the tail . Does the comb on the burgeonette stray to the right a little as well ? Maybe its the lighting but the helm seems to "angle" to the right .
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
E.B. Erickson
Industry Professional



Location: Thailand
Joined: 23 Aug 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Mon 22 Nov, 2004 4:48 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Russ,
Arbour Antiques is still showing up when Google'd, so I guess it's still in business. Sorry to hear about Robin; he was a collecting aquaintance of mine, but I haven't been in touch for a long time, so the news of his passing caught me by surprise.

--ElJay
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Russ Thomas
Industry Professional



Location: Telemark, Norway
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Reading list: 43 books

Posts: 323

PostPosted: Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:31 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Mr.Erickson,

Sorry to have been the bearer of bad news.Regrettably Robin passed away in April 2002. A great shame , he was a true gentleman.Whenever I was in Stratford Poets Armour was always the first place that I made for ,and I am sure that most people used it as a museum and not as a shop,but thankfully,that never seemed to trouble Robin.
I tried Google,but though it mentions Arbour Antiques in many posts I couldnt find anything specific about them.I'll have another look.

Regards as ever,

Russ

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero !


http://www.living-history.no
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
W. Schütz
Industry Professional



Location: Sweden
Joined: 19 Dec 2005

Posts: 369

PostPosted: Tue 18 Jul, 2006 10:35 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Digging up this old thread since it seems most appropriate to post this in. A friend of mine had a reproduction of this helmet made by swedish armourer Albert Collins and we went to pick it up just a few hours ago. So i though id share some pics i took of this wonderful gothic beauty.


 Attachment: 30.02 KB
innsbruck.jpg


 Attachment: 86.38 KB
[ Download ]


Last edited by W. Schütz on Tue 18 Jul, 2006 11:15 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Mathias Andersson




Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 55

PostPosted: Tue 18 Jul, 2006 10:45 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Supersnygg!

Albert is really good at what he does Happy I'm waiting for a dagger i irdered from him and have been thinking about ordering a Sallet and a pair of gauntlets from him:)
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Marc-Antoine Jean




Location: Canada
Joined: 10 Dec 2005

Posts: 71

PostPosted: Fri 21 Jul, 2006 10:24 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Interesting.
Do you know if the repro is raised in one piece of metal or if it is made of two parts welded together?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Randall Moffett




Location: Northern Utah
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Reading list: 5 books

Posts: 2,121

PostPosted: Sat 22 Jul, 2006 12:17 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Russ,

You are totally right. I was looking at a late 15th couter the day before last and there were a number of things that gave it character, the punchwork asymetrical and such. It was a nice piece though. I was very suprised by the thickness-thiness. THe outside was fairly thick 2-1.4mm ish while the inside closer to 1-1.2mm I would say. A very carefully made piece.

Randall
View user's profile Send private message
Mathias Andersson




Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 55

PostPosted: Sat 22 Jul, 2006 3:13 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi, Albert makes his pieces raised in one piece of metal:)
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
W. Schütz
Industry Professional



Location: Sweden
Joined: 19 Dec 2005

Posts: 369

PostPosted: Sat 22 Jul, 2006 3:51 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Albert Collins usually does helmets from one peice, but this one is actually not made that way. I think the waiting-time was a factor in ordering a two-peice helmet, since Albert is a busy man and making such a helmet from one peice would have taken far longer.

And about the "squiffy" lines mensioned earlier; i have to say that after seeing Albert Collins work up close he is truly a master of that authentic feel. His things have strong charachter and i think he really focuses on what armourers focused on back in the day.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > German Sallet and Bevor, circa 1475
Page 1 of 1 Reply to topic
All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum