MAGNA GRAECIA, LATE ARCHAIC TO EARLY CLASSICAL PERIOD, CIRCA 525-475 B.C.

Details

A GREEK BRONZE HELMET OF APULO-CORINTHIAN TYPE
MAGNA GRAECIA, LATE ARCHAIC TO EARLY CLASSICAL PERIOD, CIRCA 525-475 B.C.
11 ¼ in. (28.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Axel Guttmann (1944-2001), Berlin.
Eisenobjekte und ausgesuchte der Sammlung Axel Guttmann Berlin, Hermann Historica, Munich, 15 May 2003, lot 79.
Art Market, Canada.
Antiquities, Christie's, New York, 9 December 2005, lot 180.
with Ariadne Galleries, New York and London.
Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2016.

Literature

“Apulo-Corinthian Helmets” (online article, sas.upenn.edu/~dpd/italica/apcor/apcor.html).

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Hannah Fox Solomon Head of Department, Specialist

hsolomon@christies.com +1 212 636 2256

Lot Essay

The Apulo-Corinthian helmet type, also called Pseudo-Corinthian, was worn cap-like on top of the warrior’s head and secured with a leather strap under his chin. This is a development from the earlier Corinthian type, which completely enveloped the warrior’s head and face. In this new variant, the cheek-guards no longer serve their original purpose and instead function as a visor; the nose-guard and eye-openings are purely decorative.

This ornate example features molded eyebrows in raised relief, elaborate incised confronting boars on the cheek-guards, and chevrons and dots along the perimeter. At the back is a flaring neck-guard, and at the sides, perforations to secure the chin strap. Riveted to the crown are three plume-holders.

This helmet is characteristic of A. Bottini's Type C, featuring open eyes, a nose in relief, and conjoined cheek-guards (see "Gli Elmi Apulo-Corinzi: Proposta di Classificazione," AION: Annali di archeologia e storia antica, vol. 12, pp. 23-37).

More from Antiquities

View All