The burgonet (French bourguinotte), a lighter-weight helmet with a peak, tall comb and cheek-pieces first appeared in Italy in the early decades of the 16th century. Subsequently its use spread to Spain, France and Germany. This type of helmet was worn by both cavalry and infantry.
The burgonet shown here is remarkable for the richness and variety of its decoration, something for which the armourers of Milan were especially famous. The peak, comb and neck-guard are covered with magnificent chased ornament that includes stylized plant motifs, martial attributes and musical instruments. The skull of the helmet is especially finely embellished with high-relief scenes from the biblical story of David and Goliath and the apocryphal tale of Judith and Holofernes.