Greetings,

Attached is a pic of a steel mask from the Museo Stibbert in Florence. This piece is a composite of two 17th cent pieces put together by Stibbert for his collection. The curator, Dr. Probst, thought this was a mask used for a tournament of some sort, but my german was rusty and I had a little trouble with her explanation. She also thought there was at least one other simalr mask in a collection although she could not remember where.

So, are any of you familiar with another ask like this one? Note that this differes in details from the myriad "Masks of Shame" and other judicial devices.

Thanks.

Tim Lyon
Illinois

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Second view of same mask

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That mask has some similarities to steel masks used in Iran, Central Asia and Russia in 13th to 15th centuries. the helmet it's attached to is completely different however. :)

The top is a secrete for wearing under hats. The top and the mask do not belong together - they were combined by Stibbert in the 19th century for his collection because he did not like single pieces. i have seen the russin adn mid eastern helmets with masks - this piece is something different.