A ROMAN BRONZE CAVALRY PARADE HELMET

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN BRONZE CAVALRY PARADE HELMET
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
Perhaps representing an Amazon, formed of two sections, front and back, the front with openwork eyes, the irises formed of perforated rings, the angular brows and lashes lightly incised, the nostrils perforated, the small lips parted, the face framed by a pair of snakes confronting a rosette at the top center of the forehead, their scales detailed, incised fringes along their lengths terminating in a cluster of three dots, a pair of snakes in high relief fronting the wildly undulating hair, the individual strands incised; the back with a flaring neck-guard, the surface covered with similarly-rendered strands of hair, a ridged band bisecting the head, with a pair of snakes rising up from the back forming semicircles, their heads meeting at the peak of the ridged band, a smaller pair of snakes rising up and overlapping the tails of the larger pair, an eagle to either side in high relief, each with its head turned back; the edges of both sections with perforations for attachment
10¼ in. (26 cm.) high

Provenance

European Private Collection.
Acquired by the current owner prior to 1968.

Sale room notice

A punched inscription on the exterior of the neck-guard. An incised inscription on the interior of the neck-guard reading, XV.

Lot Essay

According to Robinson (The Armour of Imperial Rome, p. 107-111), the cavalry sports helmet, covering the face and resembling a theatrical mask, was worn by Roman auxiliary cavalry in equestrian exercises known as hippica gymnasia. Along with these elaborate helmets would be worn a special shield, an embroidered tunic and possibly thigh-guards and greaves, all of which would contribute to the splendor of the display. These exercises most probably accompanied religious festivals celebrated by the Roman army and were also put on for the benefit of visiting officials. Arrian, a provincial governor under Hadrian, and the only surviving source of information about the hippica gymnasia, describes how the horsemen were divided into opposing teams, taking turns to attack and defend.

A small series of masks representing females survive. These most probably would have been worn by the team representing Amazons in re-enactments of the wars between Greeks and the Amazons, an unfailingly popular theme for Greek and Roman artists, and a good subject for display.

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