Detail View: The AMICA Library: Parade Helmet in Hispano-Moresque Style

AMICA ID: 
MMA_.1983.413
AMICA Library Year: 
2000
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality: 
European; Iberian; Spanish
Creator Name-CRT: 
Spanish
Title: 
Parade Helmet in Hispano-Moresque Style
Title Type: 
Object name
View: 
Full View
Creation Date: 
late 15th-early 16th century
Creation Start Date: 
1466
Creation End Date: 
1533
Materials and Techniques: 
Steel, gold, silver, cloisonné enamel
Classification Term: 
Armors
Dimensions: 
H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm), Wt. 3 lb. 12 oz. (1.7 kg)
AMICA Contributor: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 
1983.413
Credit Line: 
From the Lord Astor of Hever Collection Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 1983
Rights: 
Context: 

This helmet is traditionally thought to have belonged to Abü`Abd Allah Muhammad, known in the West as Boabdil, the last Nasrid king of Granada (r. 1482-83, 1487-92). If so, it is the only known example of armor to have survived from the Nasrid period in Spain (1230-1492).

The helmet has the form of a typical Spanish sallet of the late fifteenth century. The cutouts over the eyes, however, were inspired by those of Islamic helmets. The extraordinarily rich decoration, which includes cloisonné enamels and finely tooled designs in gold leaf, has close parallels in surviving Nasrid sword fittings and jewelry. The bowl has been pierced to fit the enamels and is lined with riveted plates to support them, indicating that the helmet was created exclusively for ceremonial use.

Related Image Identifier Link: 
MMA_.aa1983.413.R.tif