Cleveland Museum of Art

Savoyard Helmet (Todenkopf)

Date

c. 1600–20

Medium

steel, blackened

Culture

Italy or Germany, early 17th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The term “Savoyard helmet” is used today to evoke the elite cavalry units formed by Charles Emanuel I, Duke of Savoy (1580-1630). Such helmets were designed principally to withstand and protect the wearer from shot from the powerful wheel-lock guns of the day, though their secondary function was to intimidate and terrify. The design of the helmet suggests a human face or skull. They were known as todenkopf or “death’s head” helmets in Germany. The helmet would have originally been associated with a three-quarter cuirassier armor. Similar armors are displayed nearby. This type of helmet is also called a "todenkopf," translating to "death's head."

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