The Armour Archive

I certainly don't think that Michelangelo was looking at the helmet that had been buried around 600 years before he painted his Crucifixion of St Peter (1546-1550), but while looking at a book about art in the Vatican I was struck by the similarities between the original helmet and the helmet worn by the soldier next to St Peter's right knee. "Spectacles", and a serpent across the ridge...just pretty interesting.

I doubt he was actually looking at said crucifixion either..... just sayin..

*cough* *cough*




...just sayin'.

wow, a visor under the visor with a bevor over the whole thing, that's a whole lotta face protection.

Good glory that is a handsome suit of armor.

well thats different...umm yeah...kinda cool too!

There's some fantastic, fantastical pieces out there.

Look at the etching on the breastplate. Given the halo, the figure on horseback, and given that it's a Russian suit in the Hermitage, I'd guess that it's St. Demetrius (who was tied for most important Orthodox military saint).

The oculars are obviously reminiscent of the older "half-mask" Russian helmets. Not Gjermundbu, but in the same family, anyway.