I couldn't complete the "reserve collection" in the title as I ran out of characters. Craig and I visited the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) in New York NY yesterday, specificaly to see this special exhibit. I would highly recommend the trip to anybody interested in things Medieval.

In regards to the special exhibit, some 71 helmets that are normally held in the reserve collection of the MET are on display, out of a collection of over 200. 14 of the helmets are of 15th c. origin, and span the full range of helmet types in common use - sallets - visored and open, kettlehats, barbutes, and armets. As the exhibiton catalog says - to paraphrase, 'The helmets on permanent display are of artistic merit', and the other 200 + languish in the reserve as the MET is an art museum, and the others are not of the same artistic quality. My sincere wish is that they could permanently display the lot, perhaps in lucite display cases in the basement or ground floor, for those of us on this continent who are interested but don't have ready access to the collections in Europe. I doubt this will ever happen though.

As to the rest of the MET's collection of the medieval - it is vast ! Most of course are reliqueries, sulpture, paintings,Tapestries, not to mention the gold and silver plate of the wealthy. Tucked in amongst the lot are the occasional comb, purse frame, amd objects of day to day life. The part of the collection we glimpsed is only a fraction, as the majority of the Medieval collection is housed in the Cloisters, and we did not have time to visit - an excuse for another trip. Those members of Co. Wolfe Argent reading this should plan on a group visit sometime later this Summer or early this Fall. Oh. and bring a camera ! We couldn't find ours, and assumed that if they allowed photography they would sell disposable ones. They do allow photography of some displays - like the armour collection, but they don't allow photos of the paintings or textiles. They don't sell the disposable cameras however.

To finish up, it is a well worthwile trip to visit the MET, and an absolute must see if you are in New York.

What is the title of the exhibition catalog?
What is its cost?
Is it worth having?

BTW, the Met does allow photography of nearly everything in the collection, you just can't use flash, and must hand hold the camera (no tripod).

I take pictures there all the time, including paintings, just not with flash.

They don't allow photography of some of their special exhibitions, but that has mainly to do with the fact that sometimes they have pieces on loan from other collections who don't want the items photographed. Signs are always posted.

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Cheers,

Info from the Met's web site at: http://www.metmuseum.org/store/index.asp

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"European Helmets, 1450-1650: Treasures from the Reserve Collection"

This publication, issued in conjuction with the exhibition "European Helmets, 1450-1650" (held at the Museum January 25, 2000 through January 2001), explores the evolution, technology, form, and fashion of European head defenses over two centuries, from 1450 to 1650.

48 pages, 87 illustrations, 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. Paper.

Price: Members $8.96, Non-Member $9.95

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Of particular interest to us Burgundian types are catalog # 29.150.13, which is probably a Franco-Burgundian open faced sallet, possibly made by an Italian smith working in Flanders. Classed as such because it shows a styling (pointed bowl)that is associated with that region, but it is constructed in what is assumed to be a typically Italian fashion, with a brow re-enforce and an articulated tail of a single lame, articulated on rivets. Supposedly fished out of either the Meuse or Somme. It is in decent shape, alhough it had been extensively corroded, and has been repaired. This is the third extant example of a Flemish style sallet I am aware of (one the Coventry sallet, the other a visored sallet lacking its visor found at Rhodes, now in Ontario, and now this one.

I think we might want to start collecting as much info we can on any bits of harness that are attributed to be Flemish or Franco-Burgundian, and just gather what we can in one place. Might make an interesting monograph.