MAGNA GRAECIA, CLASSICAL TO HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 400-200 B.C.

Details

A GREEK BRONZE PILOS HELMET WITH WINGS
MAGNA GRAECIA, CLASSICAL TO HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 400-200 B.C.
12 in. (30.6 cm.) high

Provenance

Axel Guttmann (1944-2001), Berlin, acquired in Freiburg, 1988 (Inv. no. AG279/H61).
Antiken der Sammlung Axel Guttman, Auktion 54, Hermann Historica, Munich, 11 April 2008, lot 345.
Acquired by the current owner from the above.

Literature

Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Antike Helme Kalender, 1991 (cover).
H. Born, Restaurierung antiker Bronzewaffen: Sammlung Axel Guttmann, vol. 2, Mainz, 1993, p. 12, fig. 4.
M. Burns, "Graeco-Italic Militaria," in M. Merrony, ed., Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Mougins, 2011, p. 208, fig. 79.
R. Hixenbaugh, Ancient Greek Helmets: A Complete Guide and Catalog, New York, 2019, p. 530, no. H229.

Exhibited

Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins, 2011-2023 (Inv. no. MMoCA171).

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

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Lot Essay

This elaborate conical helmet has a separately-made neck-guard soldered to the back of the offset rim. Notable embellishments include a spiral plume-holder at the peak, three snake-headed, coiled plume-holders rivetted on the sloping dome, and two wings with incised overlapping feathers and tubular plume-holders at the join. Below the central coiled plume is a silver rosette plate supporting a suspension ring. Centered on the carinated ridge is a gorgoneion applique, flanked by small silver lion-griffin appliques.

For another helmet with wings and snake-headed coiled plume-holders but of a Chalcidian type, see no. W 24a, pp. 55-56 in D. Cahn, Waffen und Zaumzeug.

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