florid strapwork and trophies. The enrichments are well modelled, and for German work of their time remarkably restrained, the graceful rendering of the figures suggesting the style of the Bolognese artist, Alessandro Algardi. The lower borders of the helmet have also applied copper-gilt work, which serves to conceal the join at the edge of the comb.
A FEW EXAMPLES OF SOME BURGONETS OF FRENCH
ORIGIN, 1540-80
It is unfortunately impossible for us, as in the case of casques of Italian and of German make and fashion, to commence our series of French examples by giving illustrations of those of early XVIth century date. They probably must exist; but we can give no examples for the simple reason that we are unable to recognize any which have a French provenance. We know German and Italian styles; but we are unfamiliar with a single peculiarity of shape or manufacture that would enable us to assign a head-piece of the casque order of this date to France.
Placed with the splendid trophy of offensive arms said to have been taken from King François I of France by the troops of the Emperor Charles V at the battle of Pavia in 1525 are other armaments which, according to the traditions of the Royal Armoury of Spain, have always been regarded as having been the property of the French monarch. Among them is a very beautiful casque (Fig. 1263), à l'antique, which, from the very distinctive emblems of the French royal house which it bears, the late Count de Valencia attributed unhesitatingly to the ownership of the French King.[1] From the evidence of the style of the casque, which appears to be in the French taste of about 1540-50, it is probable that this helmet was made for the King towards the closing years of his life—he died in 1547—but it must not be confused with the other spoil taken from François after his defeat at Pavia. The casque is forged from one piece, its enrichment, embossed in low relief, representing combats between warriors classically attired. The figures, russeted, are on a gilded ground, and are principally represented in profile. The crest, distinctive of the Dauphin, is in the form of a dolphin, and the scales of its body are adorned with gold fleurs-de-lys. The umbril and neck-guard have duplicated groovings and lambrequin ornamentation applied; indeed, the whole scheme
- ↑ Valencia's Catalogo de la Real Armeria, 1898. No. M. 5, page 359.
