1586) RARE AND IMPORTANT MAXIMILIAN MONKEY FACE HELMET CIRCA 1520: A helmet such as this must have been owned by a very wealthy nobleman.

DISCUSSION: Of all collectible armor, fluted or what the Victorians named Maximilian is arguably the most sought after. Arms and Armor was greatly affected by the spirit of the Renaissance. The Italian Wars (1494-1557), which came after almost two hundred years of peace, were now the proving ground for new military tactics and new battlefield strategies, which reflected changes in Arms and Armor. The Maximilian fashion was originally an early 1505 Innsbruck reproduction of the contemporary pleating fashion found in civilian close-fitting jackets (doublets). Ironically, there is no proof that Emperor Maximilian was responsible for its original design. However, it appears that Maximilian did take an active part in the day to day goings on at his armory. In the Der Weisskunig (The White King), there is an engraving by Burgkmair depicting Maximilian I instructing his armorers at his Innsbruck court. Over the next thirty years, the Maximilian fashion was also adopted by the other armor manufacturing centers of Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Landshut. As the years progressed, so did the number of flutes found in Maximilian armor. By circa 1510,  Maximilian armor had achieved complete body fluting (less the greaves).

DESCRIPTION: Formed of a rounded one-piece skull rising to a low, boldly roped medial comb, fitted with a monkey-faced visor, the bevor attached by a pair of low-domed common pivots (possibly replaced), the visor stepped outward beneath its centrally divided vision slit, pierced with seven horizontal rectangular air slits. The bevor flanged outwards at its lower edge to form a short game neck guard at the front and back neck of three lames (replaced), minor chips at its main edges, a short lifting peg, a visor prop with a forkhead, and push-button release for the bevor. Edges decorated en suite with ropeing, visor push-button release. Conserved/restored to museum standards.

PROVENANCE: From a prominent European and American collection.

COMPARABLE: A somewhat similar example of a slightly earlier helmet can be found in the Nuremberg Germanisches National Museum and also in numerous collections throughout European.

CONCLUSION: An exceptionally rare helmet that could be the centerpiece of any arms and armor collection or museum. Very reasonably priced for the collector who only wants the best. Call for a price much lower than you expect!!!*