CIRCA 1430, POSSIBLY ENGLISH

Details

A Rare Bacinet Skull
Circa 1430, possibly English
Heavily rust-patinated throughout, and perhaps excavated, the bowl hazelnut-shaped, originally rising to a low point (obliterated by a hole) between four short low equidistant ridges, shaped to the back of the skull and the back and sides of the neck and with a straight lower edge, a row of lining holes bordering the edges of the arched face-opening to ear level then continuing round the back of the neck, a larger central hole at the rear (possibly for a rondel), similar holes, some in pairs, below the apex serving to attach a crest or orle, and a large and small hole on each side at temple level for the upper plate of a double bevor, on either side above, the rear halves of hinge and pin visor-attachments working on dome-headed pivots, riveted on the right of the neck the latten chape of a strap (missing) that presumably secured the bevor in the closed position, the surface retaining traces of silvering, mainly under the visor-hinges
11¾in. (29.8cm.) high

Provenance

Private collection in the area of Whitehaven, Cumberland
J.F. Affleck of Whitehaven

Special notice

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Lot Essay

This appears to be a unique example of a type of helmet that is, in effect, a small version of the great bacinet and probably one of the precursors of the armet. It is otherwise known only from one represented on the effigy of John Fitzalan, 6th Earl of Arundel (d. 1435) in the Parish Church at Arundel, Sussex

See Stothard, plates 119, 120
Laking 1920, vol. 1, pp. 224 and 236

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