1888 Antique Helmet
1888) GERMAN CAVALRY CLOSED HELMET CIRCA 1570 FROM THE MacGREGORS LANRICK CASTLE: This helmet has not been on the collectors’ market for over 100 years! Lanrick Castle was the official clan seat of the MacGregors for over a hundred years in Scotland.
Introduction: Even a person who knows very little about Arms and Armor will recognize a Medieval/Renaissance “close helm” and understand its historic value, artistic value, beauty, and mystique. Helmets make a statement of chivalry, power, class, and elegance. Closed helmets, like fine statues, display exceptionally well on flat surfaces, such as shelves, tables, or desks.
Description: Constructed with a round one-piece skull that rises to a tall, roped medial comb. A common pivot attaches the visor, upper bevor, and lower bevor. The visor has two vision slits. The upper bevor has eight ventilation holes on the right side in a circular form and a ninth in the center, a pierced stud and swivel hook release (possibly replaced) to secure the upper bevor to the bevor proper, a pierced stud and swivel hook release to secure the bevor proper to the skull (possibly replaced), the visor with a lifting peg on the right side visor (possibly replaced). A large gorget plate with roped decoration (possibly replaced) and a second smaller attached gorget plate to the helmet, decorated en suite with brass rivets, beautiful brass decorated with guttered turns.
Condition: Very Good with a few signs of working life/battle use.
Dimensions: Height approximately 13 inches.
Provenance: By tradition, the helmet and three other Arms and Armour objects were taken out of Lanrick Castle around WWII and sent to a mistress abroad. Lanrick Castle was the official clan seat of the MacGregors for over a hundred years. Lanrick Castle was a country house located near Doune, Perthshire. First constructed in the late 18th century, it originally belonged to the Haldane family and later served as the seat of both the Murray and MacGregor families. After its purchase by John Murray MacGregor, 18th Chief of Clan Gregor in 1776, it became known as “Clan Gregor Castle”. In 1801, Ramsay of Ochtertyre described Lanrick as “more magnificent than convenient”.
Eighty years later, he was impressed by “a handsome modern castellated edifice, with very fine grounds.” The castle was enhanced with Gothic additions around 1815, which significantly expanded the building, and was again remodelled around 1900.
John Murray MacGregor’s son, Major-General Sir Evan MacGregor, 19th Chief, sold the house in 1830. By the late 1970s, the castle was no longer occupied. The building was gutted by fire in April 1994 and lost its roof. The remaining structure was demolished in 2002 – the castle’s owner, Alistair Dickson, was fined £1000 for demolishing a listed structure without the necessary consent. Stirling Council was also criticised for its failure to protect the castle.
Discussion: The two most sought-after armor collectibles are helmets and breastplates, in that order. Both helmets and breastplates protect the two most vital parts of the knight’s body, the head and torso. Helmets (especially close helmets), in general, are more expensive than breastplates.
Why are helmets and breastplates the most sought-after?
Here are three reasons:
1) Helmets are the earliest form of body armor. Both aristocratic knights and simple infantrymen used them. Helmets are the most difficult item to make in a suit of 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.
2) The breastplate is second only to the helmet. Even a person who knows very little about Arms and Armor will recognize a Medieval/Renaissance helmet or breastplate. If you collect greaves (see pages 122-BB and 123-BB in my book ), few people may know what they are or find them aesthetically pleasing.
3) Helmets, like a fine statue, display well on flat tops such as shelves, tables, or desks. Breastplates display easily on the wall, like a fine painting.
Conclusion: This helmet has not been on the market for over 100 years! Arms and Armor in absentia for over 100 years are an exceptional rarity in today’s collectors’ marketplace and are highly sought after by collectors and museum curators. This helmet has double value. First, it’s a very good original helmet in great condition that shows very well. Secondly, it has an exceptional provenance that only enhances its value, desirability, and mystique.
Priced to sell immediately. Don’t wait; ACT NOW!
This one should sell quickly, and I don’t want you to be disappointed!
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