MAGNA GRAECIA, CLASSICAL PERIOD, CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.

Formed of one hammered sheet with a broad flat rear flange with three plume-holders riveted to the crown and elaborately decorated throughout with palmettes, herringbone patterns, lions and confronting stylized boars on the cheek pieces.

The pseudo-Corinthian helmet type developed in South Italy during the 6th-5th Century B.C. at the time when its mainland Hellenic cousin, the Corinthian helmet, became extinct in Greece. Unlike its Corinthian counterpart, it was not used to cover and protect the face, but rather it was worn at the top of the head with the front portions serving as a visor. The eye slits and nose-guard were purely decorative. For a similar example see Chamay, et al., The Art of the Italic Peoples from 3000 to 300 B.C., pp. 364-365, no. 241.