Circa 1300 AD. An impressively well-preserved iron helmet composed of five plates joined by rivets, two plates for the upper back and front and two for the lower part, the top formed of one plate attached by eighteen iron rivets: shaped nose-guard dividing the eyeholes, thirty-one holes to each side of the lower part for ventilation. There are few pieces of armour as iconic as the knightly great helm or ‘heaume’. An emblematic object of a romantic chivalric past, the great helm was commonly detailed in Medieval art to emphasise the status and virtue of the wearer. There are few examples, around twenty authentic examples still existing in collections and museums making this great helm helmet a rare and important object. We can only assume this helmet was made for someone of high social standing due to its quality craftsmanship. For similar see Müller-Hickler, H., 'Über die Funde aus der Burg Tannenberg', in ZfHW XIII, Neue Folge 4, 1934, pp.175-181; Scalini, M., 'Protezione e segno di distinzione: l'equipaggiamento difensivo nel duecento' in Scramasax (ed.), Il Sabato di San Barnaba, la battaglia di Campaldino,11 giugno 1289-1989, Milano, pp.80-98; Žákovský P., Hošek J., Cisár V. Size: L:300mm / W:260mm ; 2.3kg. Provenance: Formerly in the European collection 1990’s; previously in the UK collection 2000’s.