1672) DECORATED GERMAN CUIRRASIER HELMET CIRCA 1610: Superb German construction, exceptional elegance, and remarkable condition. They seldom come this nice!!!

Introduction: Even a person who knows very little about Arms and Armor will recognize an armored helmet and understand its historical value and artistic beauty. Helmets make a statement of chivalry, power, and elegance. Like a fine statue, they display well on flat tops such as shelves, tables, or desks. Cuirassier helmets circa 1600–1620 are a great value. They look somewhat similar to late 16th-century close helmets but for half the cost.

Discussion: Helmets are the most sought-after collectibles in armor. Because of their elegance, workmanship, and symbolism of power and chivalry, helmets are readily accepted by most as works of art, even by non-collectors. 

 Why?

 Helmets are the earliest form of body armor used by aristocratic knights and simple infantrymen. They are the most difficult item to make in a suit of armor, so they are more expensive than any other part of armor. Since they have several moving parts, many have not survived with all their original parts intact like the one under discussion has.

The cuirassier helmet evolved circa 1600. It was an evolution of the close helmet and the burgonet. Either of these two characteristics qualifies as a cuirassier helmet: (A) does not have an upper bevor. (B) It has a less obtrusive flat visor that pivots on the side of the skull. Warfare began to change around 1550. Changes were mandated to compensate for a better-organized and faster style of warfare. The cuirassier helmet was the next development of the close helm because it was easier to shoot from.

During the late 1500s and early 1600s, cavalry consisted of a three-quarter armor with a cuirassier helmet (such as the one under discussion) and knee-length tassets. Greaves and sabatons were replaced with leather boots. From 1620 onwards, they were referred to as cuirassier after discarding their lances.  The Germans continued manufacturing cuirassier armor much longer than England and other parts of Europe until circa 1650. The cuirassier was active as early as the English Civil War and in the Thirty Years’ War. By circa 1620, defensive armor changed to the mere armor a harquebusier would wear.