SA0236 Maximilian Close Helmet

Maximilian Close Helmet
Maximilian (as in Maximilian II) plate armor represents a combination of Italian and
German styles and is characterized by use of fluting and metal folds for lightness
and strength. Maximilian II was the Roman Emperor from 1564–76. Armor from the
Mid to Late 16th Century is commonly referred to as Maximilian period armor. It
was considered to be the pinnacle of the armor achievement. It represents
centuries of experience in the armouror’s craft. It had heavy fluting for strength
combined with smooth surfaces and graceful lines. This provided outstanding
protection while minimizing weight. The armor from the Maximilian period is
considered the best. Maximilian armour is a modern term applied to the style of
early 16th-century German plate armour associated with, and possibly first made
for the Emperor Maximilian I. The armour is still white armour, made in plain
steel, but it is decorated with many flutings that may also have played a role in
deflecting the points and blades of assailants and strengthening the structural
strength of the plates. It is a transitional stage in the decoration of armour, after
the plain steel surfaces of 15th-century armour and before the elaborate
decoration and colouring with etching and other techniques of Renaissance
armour. The armour is characterized by armets and close helmets with bellows
visors; small fan-shaped narrow and parallel fluting—often covering most of the
harness (but never the greaves); etching; work taken from woodcuts; sharply
waisted cuirasses, and squared sabatons.