Siege Helmet
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Steel, leather
Dimensions
H. including nasal 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); H. excluding nasal 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm); W. 10 in. (25.4 cm); D. 13 9/16 in. (34.4 cm); Wt. 23 lb. (10.43 kg)
Classification
Helmets
Culture
French
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Accession Number
14.25.494
Art Historical Context
Step into the riveting world of 17th-century French warfare with this imposing *Siege Helmet*, crafted by an unknown artisan from steel and leather. Dating to a time of prolonged conflicts like the Thirty Years' War and Louis XIV's campaigns, this helmet was designed for the grueling defense and assault of fortified sieges, where soldiers endured artillery fire, musket balls, and close-quarters combat. Its robust construction—complete with a prominent nasal guard—prioritized maximum protection over mobility. Forged from thick steel plates, the helmet's medium reflects advanced metallurgical t...