拍品專文
The present painting represents an actual helmet that is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Inv. no. 1988.65.1 (see S.W. Pyhrr, Textiles in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, LIII, no. 3, Winter 1995/6, p. 54, illustrated).
The original, made of papier-mch, graphite and gold, is dated circa 1780-90. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods the wearing of classical-style armor was popular, especially for the various court festivities and pageants. However the helmet represented in the present lot is a rare, if not unique, example from the end of this tradition, and was made during the reign of Louis XVI. Exactly what function it served is unclear.
The Metropolitan helmet is based on a Greek Corinthian prototype and is made of papier-mch, with gilt relief decorations against a blue-black graphite background. Inside the helmet is pasted the Parisian retailer's trade label, identifying him as 'Hall, dit Mercier', who supplied the French court with theatrical armor, costumes and scenery.
The original, made of papier-mch, graphite and gold, is dated circa 1780-90. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods the wearing of classical-style armor was popular, especially for the various court festivities and pageants. However the helmet represented in the present lot is a rare, if not unique, example from the end of this tradition, and was made during the reign of Louis XVI. Exactly what function it served is unclear.
The Metropolitan helmet is based on a Greek Corinthian prototype and is made of papier-mch, with gilt relief decorations against a blue-black graphite background. Inside the helmet is pasted the Parisian retailer's trade label, identifying him as 'Hall, dit Mercier', who supplied the French court with theatrical armor, costumes and scenery.