Costume Armor and Sword in the Classical Style
Item
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Description
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This pseudoclassical armor was created to be worn at an event and not on the battlefield.
Pageants in pseudoclassical dress were popular in Europe from the sixteenth through the eighteenth century. An elaborate costume of the kind displayed here may have been worn for a theatrical performance or a court festivity, such as a ball or carousel in which the theme was taken from classical mythology or history.
The embroidered tunic represents an embossed bronze cuirass of the type worn by high-ranking Roman officers. The stylized Greek helmet is richly decorated with mythological and allegorical figures. Inside the helmet is the original paper label that identifies the Parisian maker as Halle dit Mercier and advertises his ability to provide helmets, shields, masks, costumes, and scenery for any occasion.
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Identifier
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1988.65.1–.2; 1995.93a, b
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Creator
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dit Mercier, Hallé
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Date
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ca. 1788–90
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Medium
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Helmet - Linen, papier-mâché, bole, gold leaf, graphite
Tunic - silk, cotton, metal coils and spangles, metallic yarn
Sword - steel, wood, gesso, silver, gold leaf
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Extent
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Helmet - 15 3/4 x 7 11/16 x 13 3/4 in. (40 x 19.5 x 35 cm)
Armor - 26 3/4 x 22 7/16 x 11 in. (68 x 57 x 28 cm)
Sword L. - 31 7/8 in. (81 cm)
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Temporal Coverage
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Hallé active ca. 1780–1800
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Relation
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/626019
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Provenance
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Armor- Funds from various donors, 1988
sword- Purchase, Gift of Estate of James Hazen Hyde, by exchange, and Rogers Fund, 1995
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Rights
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This work is in the public domain
