LATE 16TH CENTURY

Details

A COMB MORION OF THE TRABANTENLEIBGARDE OF THE ELECTORS OF SAXONY
LATE 16TH CENTURY
Of one piece, with prominent roped comb, the base of the skull with a row of sixteen lining-rivets each formed as a gilt lion-mask, eight retaining a ring in its mouth, downturned brim with turned roped edge and rising to a point fore and aft, struck with two Nuremberg marks and a maker's mark, the initials 'HF' conjoined, gilt-brass plume-holder in the form of a female herm, decorated throughout with etched and gilt bands of scrollwork bordering Classical vignettes depicting Mutius Scaevola and Marcus Curtius on the skull, and shields bearing the insignia of the Archmarshallship of the Holy Roman Empire and the arms of Saxony respectively on each side of the comb, later black-painted finish, and check-pieces of three plates each, possibly original, decorated en suite with the morion and with gilt-brass rosette-shaped lining rivets

Provenance

The Saxon Electoral Armoury, Dresden.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

This belongs to the well-known group of helmets made for the Trabantan Guard of the Electors of Saxony.

A similar morion was sold in these Rooms, A Private European Salle D'Armes, 25 June 2013, lot 138.

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