A RARE FRENCH CLOSE HELMET FOR FIELD USE WITH ETCHED AND GILT DECORATION, CIRCA 1570 formed of a

A RARE FRENCH CLOSE HELMET FOR FIELD USE WITH ETCHED AND GILT DECORATION, CIRCA 1570 formed of a rounded skull constructed in two pieces joined medially along the apex of a high roped comb and fitted at the nape with a later plume-holder of brass occupied by black ostrich feathers, visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots (replaced), the forward-sloping visor stepped and roped beneath its broad single vision-slit and fitted at its right side with a lifting-peg (replaced), the strongly prow-shaped upper bevor roped at its upper edge, pierced at its right side with eight circular ventilation-holes in rosette formation and secured to the bevor at the same side by a swivel-hook (perhaps replaced), the lower edges of the skull and bevor flanged outwards for the attachment of gorget-plates of which only the uppermost front one is preserved, the sides of the comb etched and gilt on a hatched ground with alternating foliate scrolls inhabited by winged herms (the upper edge of the visor and the flanged lower edges of the skull and bevor showing some losses and patched repairs, the surface of the helmet showing much pitting and wear) 30cm; 11 3/4in high The helmet closely resembles in both form and construction those belonging to a series of French royal armours made circa 1555-80 (Jean-Pierre Reverseau, Les Armures des Rois de France au Museé de l'Armée, Saint-Julien-du-Sault 1982, pp. 54-63, 68-7 & 72-9; Jean-Pierre Reverseau, Les Armes et La Vie, Chennevières-sur-Marne 1982, pp. 146-7). These include the finely etched and gilt armours G. 119, G. 120 & G. 121 in the Museé de l'Armée, Paris. The decoration of the comb of G. 120, made for Charles IX in the period 1564-74, is particularly close to that of the helmet described here.