Burgonet
by Filippo Negroli
Sculpture
As a master metalworker, Negroli was a hero to the armored heroes of the 16th century. Writers of the Renaissance praised Negroli's embossed armor as "miraculous" and deserving "immortal merit". This burgonet - a light steel helmet with hinged flaps to cover the cheeks - is decorated with some of the mythological heroes of the time. A mermaid spans the comb of the helmet from front to back. If you were fighting the man wearing this helmet, you might see that the mermaid's hands are tightly gripping snakes growing from the head of Medusa, whose face would be staring directly into your eyes; an unfortunate circumstance, that, according to the ancient Greek and Roman myths, would turn you to stone.
Page created on 8/14/2014 1:09:25 PM
Last edited 8/14/2014 1:09:25 PM