A 15th-Century Armet: The Helmet of Roberto da Sanseverino

 

The Armet of Roberto da Sanseverino

Article by Eugenio Larosa (www.enionline.it)
Italian version - HERE- 

Among the most recognisable elements of Italian knightly armour in the fifteenth century was, without doubt, the armet, a helmet type that became emblematic of the period.

This type of helmet, designed to fully enclose the head, typically consisted of a rounded dome with an additional frontal reinforcement, closely fitted cheekpieces attached to either side, and a visor. 

Armets were often worn in conjunction with a bevor, an additional protective element covering the lower face and neck. The bevor served to reinforce these vulnerable areas and to prevent the visor from being forced open by enemy blows. It was secured around the helmet and fastened at the back. 

At the rear of the helmet, near the base of the dome, a rondel, a protruding disc, was commonly present; it is believed to have protected the straps fastening the bevor and the rear closures of the cheekpieces.

So iconic was the armet (also in italian "armetto") to the Italian knight’s identity that, in some contemporary documents, cavalry units were referred to simply as "ELMETTI" (helmets).

The helmet shown below is traditionally attributed to Roberto Sanseverino and is currently held in the collection of the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome (inventory no. VI 11).

Provenance

Originally from Trento Cathedral, later housed in the storerooms of the Gioco del Ponte in Pisa.

It is believed that the helmet was once placed above the tomb of the condottiero (military commander) in Trento Cathedral, where it remained until the early decades of the twentieth century. It was subsequently transferred to the holdings of the Gioco del Ponte in Pisa and, following recognition of its historical significance, was entrusted to the National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome.

The Exhibition

The photographs were taken by the author (Eugenio Larosa) and document the helmet's display during the exhibition Armi e Potere nell’Europa del Rinascimento (Weapons and Power in Renaissance Europe), held in Rome at Palazzo Venezia from 26 July 2018 to 27 January 2019.

Organised and produced by the Lazio Museum Network under the direction of Edith Gabrielli, in collaboration with the Emilia Romagna Museum Network, the exhibition was curated by Mario Scalini. It featured more than 160 objects, including full suits of armour, both defensive and offensive weapons, firearms, helmets, swords, breastplates, crossbows, and greaves, displayed across the venues of Palazzo Venezia and Castel Sant’Angelo.

 

 

 

 

 

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