Lot 135
Western Europe, possibly France, Renaissance to Early Modern period, ca. 17th century CE. A rare and fascinating example of a 17th-century European "spider helmet," forged of carbon steel with a brass chinstrap, this extraordinary piece of defensive armor showcases one of the most unusual innovations in early modern head protection. The so-called spider helmet earned its name from the radiating arrangement of narrow steel bars hinged around the rim of the domed bowl and projecting peak, their configuration resembling the legs of a spider splayed from its body. This example distinguishes itself from other known French spider helms of the period through several unique structural features. The lower periphery of the bowl rises subtly just after the ears, giving the form a more sculptural, tailored profile.
Size: 11.25" L x 8" W x 6.8" H (28.6 cm x 20.3 cm x 17.3 cm)
Rather than the full complement of hinged arms encircling the helmet - which in standard designs (1) fold beneath a spring-held cap and (2) drop simultaneously when the top disk is released - this version incorporates a hinged face guard attached at the temples. This simpler but highly effective mechanism maintains the distinctive "spider" aesthetic while revealing a more experimental or regional variation in construction. The elongated tail and forward brim are of roughly equal extension, lending a balanced silhouette that contrasts with other examples, which often emphasize one over the other.
The surface of the carbon steel bowl bears hammering and age wear consistent with period use, while the brass chinstrap provides both strength and an elegant visual accent. When in operation, the face guard's bars would encircle the head, shielding the wearer from slashing blows. A turn of the small frontal screw would release the spring, causing the disk at the apex to lift and the protective bars to drop dramatically into place - a feat of both martial utility and mechanical flair. An exceptional survival of experimental armor design, this helmet stands as a testament to the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and theatricality that characterized European armory in the age of invention.
A comparable specimen is illustrated by George Cameron Stone in "A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times" (New York, 1934), p. 581, fig. 749.
PROVENANCE: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired around 2010; ex-private Portsmouth, England, UK collection
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Item #
153899
- Condition: Slight bending to some elements, with abrasions and pitting, and one mask bar secured with modern wire. Great patina. Facemask still articulates.
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