The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 20, 2024

Cavalry Spider Helmet

Cavalry Spider Helmet

1600s
iron with black paint
Overall: 30.2 x 21.3 x 17.7 cm (11 7/8 x 8 3/8 x 6 15/16 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1921.1258
Location: 210A Armor Court

Did You Know?

This helmet was made specifically for use in the field by the light cavalry who wore only a half suit of armor, sturdy riding boots, and an open helmet.

Description

The "spider-like" legs of this helmet protected the mounted soldier's face and head from slashing sword blows. The legs could be raised and locked up out of the way when not required.
  • Pierre Lorillard Ronalds
    -1921
    Frank Gair Macomber; Boston
    1921
    American Art Association; (sale, November 1921); cat. #294.
    1921-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Oh
  • Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 55, B41 archive.org
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. pp. 106-107, 165, cat. no. 67
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 68, p. 185
  • Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
  • {{cite web|title=Cavalry Spider Helmet|url=false|author=|year=1600s|access-date=20 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.1258