Cleveland Museum of Art

Triple-Crested Burgonet

Date

c. 1560–70

Medium

steel, leather bands

Culture

Germany, Augsburg (?), 16th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Popular throughout the 1500s and 1600s, the burgonet was a light, open headpiece favored by cavalry and infantry alike. Its main features are a peak over the eyes and hinged cheekpieces that fasten with a strap or lace under the chin. The basic helmet lent itself to variations of design or ornamentation. This version, with its triple crests, is known to have been produced in Augsburg. The style was worn by the bodyguard of Emperor Charles V (ruled 1519-56). The open face of the burgonet meant it was a lighter and cheaper to manufacture than closed face helmets, it also allowed the wearer to see more freely, the trade off was less protection for the face.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.