Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony

ca. 1570 - 1600

German

Not On View

Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony

Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony: 1 of Collection Gallery

Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony: 2 of Collection Gallery

Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony: 3 of Collection Gallery

Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony: 4 of Collection Gallery

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About the Artwork

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Markings

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Provenance

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

A high central comb, open face, and curving brim identify this helmet as a type known as a morion, which was popular throughout Europe during the late 1500s and early 1600s. It was one of many made for the household bodyguards of the rulers of the Electorate of Saxony, a powerful principality in present-day Germany. Etched and gilt scenes from the legends of Roman heroes renowned for their bravery and selfless service appear within roundels on the helmet’s sides. Alongside the Saxon coats of arms that adorn the helmet’s comb, these images reminded the wearer of his duty to the Prince-Electors he served.

Title Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony

Artwork Date ca. 1570 - 1600

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. German

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. German

Medium Steel, gilding, brass, leather

Dimensions Overall: 10 13/16 × 9 7/8 × 13 9/16 inches, 4.3 pounds (27.5 × 25.1 × 34.4 cm, 2 kg)

Classification Arms and Armor

Department European Sculpture and Dec Arts

Credit Founders Society Purchase, William H. Murphy Fund

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 52.160

Markings

Inscriptions ------

Marks Stamped, on left side of front brim: guild mark of Nuremberg [a divided coat of arms with a double headed eagle and alternating diagonal bars called bends] Stamped, on the left side of front brim: unknown armorer's mark [three circles arranged to form a triangle] Stamped, on the inside of the front brim: guild mark of Nuremberg [N]

Provenance

by 1930-1951, Edward H. Litchfield [1846–1930] (New York, New York, USA)

1951, sold at his estate sale by (Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, New York, USA)

1951, purchased by (James Graham and Sons, New York, New York, USA)

1952, (Victor Spark, New York, New York, USA)

1952-present, purchased by The Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA).

For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Art Digest 27, no. 5 (December 1, 1952): p. 8.

Brenker, Fabian. “Die Anbringung von Meistermarken und Beschauzeichen innen und außen an Harnischen.” Waffen- und Kostümkunde 65, no. 2 (Autumn 2023): pp. 119-150, p. 136.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

German (Nuremberg), Morion of the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony, ca. 1570 - 1600, steel, gilding, brass, leather. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, William H. Murphy Fund, 52.160.