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Object Identification
Work type
Helmet
Object type
Great helm
Classification
Arms and Armour - Headgear
Object class
Arms and Armour
Object category
Headgear
Identifier
MUS-HELM-0003
Level of description
Item
Title
Title
Crusader Great Helm (Pot Helm)
Alternate title
Barrel / bucket helm
Creator
Creator identity
Unknown armourer
Creator role
Armourer
Creator attribution
European armouries of the High Middle Ages.
Creation
Creation date
late 12th - mid 14th century (peak 13th century)
Date range
1180-01-01 – 1350-12-31
Style
Gothic (early plate)
Period
High Middle Ages
Cultural group
Western European
Measurements
Measurements
Modelled at H 32 cm x W 24 cm x D 26 cm
Dimensions
32 x 24 x 26 cm
Materials / Techniques
Materials
Wrought iron / steel plates, iron rivets
Techniques
Plate-working, riveting, drilling of sights and breaths
Extent and medium
1 helmet (3D model: glTF binary)
Subject / Content
Scope and content
A 3D model of a great helm of the type worn by Christian knights during the Crusades. In its classic form the great helm is a flat-topped steel cylinder fully enclosing the head, pierced by narrow vision slits (sights) and small ventilation holes (breaths), and worn over a mail coif and an iron skull-cap (cervelliere).
Style / Period
High Middle Ages
Cultural context
Western European knightly warfare; the Crusades
Subject display
Great helm; pot helm; Crusades; knight; arms and armour
Historical context
The great helm arose in the late 12th century as knights needed stronger protection against couched-lance and heavy-weapon blows. It offered unmatched face protection at the cost of vision and airflow; knights often removed it after the first clash, fighting on in the coif and cervelliere worn beneath.
Condition
Condition term
Not applicable (born-digital surrogate)
Condition date
2026-06-10
Condition description
Digital model; no physical condition. Geometry intact.
Condition agent
Digital Collections
Provenance / Location
Provenance
Demonstration 3D asset acquired for the museum digital-twin collection.
Provenance text
Represents the classic 13th-century flat-topped pot-helm type.
Current location
Helmets over Time (digital exhibition)
Current location repository
Heratio Demonstration Museum
Legal status
Owned
Rights type
Copyright
Rights holder
Original 3D asset author (free download); see model licence note.
Cataloging
Cataloger name
A. Curator
Cataloging date
2026-06-10
Cataloging institution
Heratio Demonstration Museum
Record Info
Created
2026-06-10 15:07
Last updated
2026-06-10 15:07