Burgonet 1525 - 1580

Desiderius Helmschmid crafted this Burgonet, a helmet, in Augsburg, Germany, sometime in the 16th century. Armor, of course, has a practical purpose, but this example elevates military hardware to the level of high art. We see lavish etched decorations and sculptural elements. Scenes of classical battles adorn the helmet, complete with mythological figures. The presence of these motifs alludes to the power and prestige of the wearer, associating them with the heroism of antiquity. In the Renaissance, such imagery served to legitimize aristocratic power through references to classical precedent. The art market played a role here, too. Augsburg was a center of metalworking, and armorers like Helmschmid catered to wealthy patrons eager to display their status. Surviving pattern books and workshop records give us insight into the artistic process and the social networks that sustained it. By studying such objects, we can better understand the complex interplay of art, power, and commerce in early modern Europe.