CIRCA 8TH CENTURY B.C.

Details

A URARTIAN BRONZE HELMET
CIRCA 8TH CENTURY B.C.
Of conical form, decorated in repoussé and incision, the front with a central vertical rib from the helmet's apex with lion-head terminal, four lion-headed curved snakes on each side framing the frontal scene, with central winged divinity seated on a throne atop a recumbent bull, flanked by two kneeling figures, a procession of offering bearers advancing on each side, an ornamented band border above and below; the back with decoration in two registers separated by ornamented bands, the upper register with a war scene, with pairs of warriors in chariots galloping towards each other, trampling soldiers strewn on the ground, the lower register depicting a lion-hunt, with huntsmen in chariots armed with bows and arrows, preceeded by lions rearing up to defend themselves, the rim with illegible cuneiform inscription around the perimeter, a pair of pierced holes on the sides for attachment of chin straps or cheek pieces, mounted
26.5 cm. high

Provenance

Private collection, Switzerland, 1992.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

For a similar bronze helmet of Sarduri II, cf., B. B. Piotrovskii, Urartu: the Kingdom of Van and its Art, London 1967, pl. 16. Comparisons can be drawn between Urartian armour decoration and the Assyrian palace reliefs of the 8th Century B.C. Piotrovskii op cit, p. 15, suggests: "The relief decoration on the shields, helmets and quivers which bear dedicatory inscriptions of urartian kings may also be classified as palace-art. their decoration frequently consists of repeated figures of lions, bulls and other creatures, which were embodiments of power. It is no accident that on the Assyrian palace reliefs, whose purpose was to display the king's exploits, he is shown hunting lions and wild bulls [...] Sometimes the animals are replaced on war-gear by rhythmical processions of alternate chariots and mounted warriors, and sometimes also by sacred trees with divinities standing on either side of them." The overall purpose of this type of decoration was to convey an impression of wealth, magnificence and power.

The representation of mythical snakes with lion heads is a recurring theme on Urartian helmets and is likely to have served as a form of magical protection against evil forces. See also, H. Born & U. Seidl, Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Band IV, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Berlin 1995, pp. 36-39, pls. II-V.

More from Antiquities

View All