[Dominic P.]

Hi I recently came across this image on Wikipedia of what has been labeled as a 'Barbuta'. I was wondering, what this Helmet might have looked like, when it was originally worn?Also any records, or Manuscripts with reference to Barbute in England would also be appreciated as I had previously read and was under the impression the Barbute were rarely seen outside of what is today Italy? Any help is greatly appreciated.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27Bar...CF1914.JPG

[Mark Moore]

looks like a non-visored one-piece sallet helm to me. I could be wrong. ........McM

[Mark T]

Me too ... nice deep shape reminiscent of the 'Coventry' style sallets, which is nice to see.

Because there are comparatively few extant sallets, it's easy to think they only fit into a small number of general styles - many accounts will simply give 'German', 'Italian', 'Italian Export', 'Burgundian', 'Coventry', 'Open-face', 'Bellows-visor', 'Black', and perhaps Sallet-Close Helms and Rennhut if you're lucky - as if this really captures all of them into some kind of simple typology.

However, as more examples like this turn up, we have a much more rich and diverse picture. which mirrors more of what we see in art of the time - a mix of styles across different times and places which challenge our modern pigeon-holing.