Close Helmet 1480 - 1535

This is a Close Helmet made by Hans Maystetter around the early 16th century from steel. Steel production at this time was both highly developed and deeply invested with cultural meaning. Note the smoothly curved surfaces, interrupted only by narrow horizontal slits for vision and ventilation. These weren't just functional; they also gave the wearer an imposing air of anonymity. Helmets like this one were prestige objects, worn by knights and other high-ranking soldiers. Their production involved many processes: ore extraction, smelting, hammering, polishing, and assembly. This required specialized workshops and considerable investment. Maystetter was among the most renowned armorers of his day. His designs were sought after not only for their protective qualities but also for their refined aesthetics. The helmet reflects the social and political realities of its time, when warfare was increasingly professionalized and aristocratic status was literally embodied in gleaming, custom-made steel. When we look at an object like this, we confront the intimate relationship between art, craft, and the technologies of power.