July 13-15, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2021
Produced circa last quarter of the 19th century, when electrotyping became a way for people to acquire almost perfect copies of exceptional pieces of arms and armor, with companies such as Elkington and Co. and Christofle and Compagnie manufacturing them and offering them for sale to both collectors and museums. This helmet is a copy of Henry II's embossed helm made and decorated with Roman motifs, including depictions of Julius Caesar and Pompeius Magnus, designed by Delaune. High comb embossed with further Roman motifs. Gorget of 2 lames is decorated with flowing florals with "932" visible on inside of gorget. Accompanied by a copy of the article "The Armor of Henry II Of France From the Louvre Museum" by Grancsay and an online offering of a Christofle and Compagnie electrotype of the same helmet. CONDITION: Very good, with metal being essentially patina throughout with some golden spotting to high edges, as a result of either a protective lacquer or nicotine. Left side of visor is cracked through and detached but helmet still presents extremely well. Visible line from construction is visible but does not detract. An extremely presentable piece with a wonderful authentic appearance. 19th-century electrotypes are highly collectible as the original armors virtually never surface on the private market. EW