© 2023 Scollard Auctions – All Rights Reserved
Fine Arms, Armour, Ethnographic & Asian
Lot 127:
European or English, circa 19th c. or earlier. An old Noir black painted funerary helm also known as Mortuary or Mort helms that was set onto a noble or knights effigy. Such examples often had the rear lower lames of the skull removed for fixture into effigy or monuments, this example features a hand forged two piece skull with high comb, plum holder to rear, and open face visor with triple bar nasal or face guard, the lower face lames are ventilated with breaths at the cheeks and have an unused hook latch to either side that once held the plates together, the lower lames or Gorget plates of the helm are consisting of three lames and feature a rolled edge to the base. Size approximately 15" H x 13" W
Most often placed near or at the carved memorial of knights and nobility in the traditional fashion throughout the 14th-17th century for those deemed to be warriors throughout life. The helmets were often painted sometimes in bright colors and located in rural churches and other religious buildings, the practice saw wide spread use in southern England, Cornwall, Scotland, and the remainder of Europe.
Arms Collector
Condition: some denting and damage to paint with missing rivets and old torn leather (stand not included)
Share this lot:
© 2023 Scollard Auctions – All Rights Reserved