Human chainmail armet, Germany, circa 1530 Detail

The armorers of the 16th century, particularly those working in the Nuremberg, Augsburg, and Innsbruck workshops, took on the most diverse orders from the wealthy European courts. Benefitting from the latest techniques in metallurgy, the princes were conjuring up images of the wildest pieces they could imagine, so that they could stand out from the crowd or even instill fear in their enemies.
This armet is astonishing, worked in high relief and accurately reproducing the facial contours of its commissioner. There is no gilding here, nor any floral decorations to adorn the head protection. The emphasis is simply placed on the finished item and the inclusion of a prominent mustache, a long and thin nose, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes. The cheek protectors have been trimmed to enable the wearer to hear more clearly. The skull, with a twisted median crest and emphasized with parallel bands, has more of a pure Maximilian style. Finally, a large collar guard is attached at the throat of the armor.
The Musée de l'Armée has other, similar pieces in its collection, starting with the armet (561/2 PO) or the piece listed in the inventory under 3610 I. All this equipment corresponds to defense used for military action, which explains their solidity, leaving no part of the face uncovered.