Complementary cabasset from the armor of Adolf von Schwarzen - Lot 68

Lot n° 68
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Estimation :
40000 - 60000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 98 906EUR
Complementary cabasset from the armor of Adolf von Schwarzen - Lot 68
Complementary cabasset from the armor of Adolf von Schwarzenberg Milan, Pompeo della Cesa, c. 1590 H. 21 cm- W. 24 cm Exchange cabasset for the armor of Adolf von Schwarzenberg Milan, Pompeo della Cesa, c. 1590 H. 8 1/4 in - W. 9 1/2 in 243 CH Complementary cabasset from the armor of Adolf von Schwarzenberg, with a slightly ovoid stamp and a central ridge culminating in a point curving backwards. The acid-etched decoration is arranged in radiating bands from the top, alternating between garlands of gilded trophies of arms on a black background and black interlacing on a gold background, surmounting medallions featuring male and female figures dressed in antique style. Among them is an allegorical figure of Prudence Prudence with her snake and mirror (on the front of the helmet), two Renomées with their trumpets, and warriors brandishing palms or laurel wreaths. The base of the stamp and the edges of the cabasset are adorned with a succession of bands of plant and geometric motifs, also in black and gold. A brass pen-holder in the form of a scalloped cartouche with punched geometric motifs is attached to the back. Large flower-shaped brass rivets at the base of the stamp, and other iron rivets, with the head originally covered in brass near the edges of other rivets, hold an internal trim made of four pieces of fine brown leather sewn together, pierced by a series of holes at the stamp for a (lost) lace used to adjust on the wearer's head. Antique but not original. The traditional articulated cheek guards, closed by a strap under the chin, are missing. The decoration of this very high quality piece allows it to be compared with the war armor made by the famous workshop of Pompeo della Cesa in Milan for the imperial general Adolf von Schwarzenberg (1551-1600), now in the Imperial Armory in Vienna (Kunsthistorisches museum, Hofjgad- und Rüstkammer, A 1708). The cabasset, replacing the cavalry grid armor on display in Vienna, enabled the harness to be used as infantry armor. After a military career in the service of Philip II of Spain, Schwarzenberg obtained the offices of Privy Councillor to the Elector of Cologne, Marshal to the Prince-Bishop of Liège, and Governor, General and Landhofmeister of the Diocese of Cologne. He distinguished himself particularly in the service of the imperial army during the war against the Turks in Hungary (1593-1606), for which he was awarded the title of Imperial Count (Reichgraf) in 1599. In 1600, he was killed in Pápa (Hungary) during the suppression of a mutiny by French and Walloon mercenaries holding the fortress in the service of the Habsburgs. A similar cabasset by Pompeo della Cesa, with a slightly different decorative scheme, is preserved at the Art Institute of Chicago (inv. 1982.2229). Good condition, slight wear to the gilding, trim rivet missing from the front edge, brass plating missing from most of the edge rivets. Translation at the end of the catalog
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