Art Institute of Chicago

Visored Bascinet

Western European

Date

1390/1400

Medium

Steel and brass

Culture

Italy

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The quintessential knightly helmet of the late 14th century, the bascinet was used throughout Europe. Its pronounced conical skull and pointed visor were designed to deflect blows side to side and were described in its own time in Germany as a Hundsgugel, or hound’s hood. The pierced steel pins around the base of the skull were used to attach a mail hood, called an aventail, that protected the shoulders. Complete surviving examples are rare. This helmet is made of two separate period parts, skull and visor, which were repaired and joined in the early 20th century to make a complete example.

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