The Italian helmet derived from the
bascinet recalling the Corinthian style helmets popular in the Greek empire. Characterized by a rounded skull; a "t-shaped" opening for the face, sometimes expanded into a fully open face; a strongly
flared tail and cheek pieces all executed to form a very elegant, flowing defense for the head. Early barbutes featured an open face, and can be found as early as 1410; usually they were restricted to the Italian peninsula or on armours intended for export by Italian armouries. They seem to have been made in Venice and in Milan-the finest examples are of the
Missiglian school. Popular during the middle years of the 15th century, they were seen on the field either
polished or covered in cloth, sometimes velvet, which was in turn sometimes covered with chased bronze or
latten floral adornment.
