LATE 2ND/FIRST HALF OF 3RD CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN TINNED COPPER CAVALRY PARADE HELMET
LATE 2ND/FIRST HALF OF 3RD CENTURY A.D.
With arching crest terminating in a beaked griffin's head, its two forelegs holding a frontally facing Medusa mask in front, the griffin's body curving and tapering to a fish or dolphin-like tail, each side decorated in high relief with a capricorn with griffin-like head and coiled tail, the three creatures with rivets for ears (now missing), with continuous flanged rim protecting brow and ears, the rim decorated with friezes of punched circles and dots, two rivets at the front of the brow-guard with remains of a hinge inside for face mask attachment
11 in. (28 cm.) high

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
M. Junkelmann, Reiter wie Statuen aus Erz, Mainz, 1996, p. 96, no. O 119; and H. Born and M. Junkelmann, Römische Kampf- und Turnierrüstungen: Sammlung Axel Guttmann, VI, Mainz, 1997, pp. 106-108, pls. 79, 112-115 and I-III (AG 451).

Cf. H. Russell Robinson, The Armour of Imperial Rome, London, pp. 128-129, pls. 376-377 for the type, Cavalry Sports type G, see pls. 376-377 for a similar helmet from Heddernheim; and R. Rainbird Clarke, East Anglia, London, 1960, p. 127, pl. 34 for another found in the River Wensum at Worthing, Norfolk. It has been suggested that the latter helmet may have originated from a workshop on the Rhine or the Danube.

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