Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/91



Probably German, about 1470-90. Collection: Sir Noël Paton. From a drawing by the author

Our next illustration (Fig. 402) is from a drawing, made by the present writer, of the superb tilting salade formerly in the possession of Sir Noël Paton, whose collection was some time ago purchased in its entirety by the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. This helmet is indeed a splendid example, and of an earlier type than any tilting salade with which we are acquainted, its date being about 1470-1490. It has all the characteristics of the helmet at Windsor Castle just alluded to, except that its tail-piece is pointed, and that there is a reinforcing piece secured beneath the ocularium. On examination it will be noticed that this extra plate covers a welded line, which rather suggests that the salade was originally made for use in war, and that the lower part beneath the ocularium was added, the welded place being strengthened by an extra plate, when the helmet was adapted for the joust. The condition of the helmet, which retains its original blackened surface, is admirable: indeed it has suffered in no way from the effects of time or of accident, and the original padded lining is still in its place. No less than twenty-six aiglette holes—an astonishing number—appear about the skull-piece, each hole being fitted with a decorated pewter rim. There are ten on each side, and a group of six at the back, three being on each side of the