ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 580-520 B.C.

Details

A GREEK BRONZE CORINTHIAN HELMET
ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 580-520 B.C.
8 in. (20.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Axel Guttmann (1944-2001), Berlin, acquired in Krefeld, 1989 (Inv. no. AG178/H32).
Antiken der Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Auktion 58, Hermann Historica, Munich, 7 October 2009, lot 168 (with incorrect AG no.).
Christian Levett, London, acquired from the above on behalf of the Mougins Museum of Classical Art.

Literature

M. Burns, "Graeco-Italic Militaria," in M. Merrony, ed., Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Mougins, 2011, p. 199, fig. 51.
R. Hixenbaugh, Ancient Greek Helmets: A Complete Guide and Catalog, New York, 2019, p. 395, no. C423.

Exhibited

Mougins Museum of Classical Art, 2011-2023 (Inv. no. MMoCA500).

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Hannah Fox Solomon Head of Department, Specialist

hsolomon@christies.com +1 212 636 2256

Lot Essay

The iconic form of this helmet is typical for the Archaic period. Hammered from a single heavy sheet, it was designed to fully cover the warrior's head. It has a continuous curving profile, characteristic almond-shaped eye-openings, an elongated nose-guard rounded at its tip, integral cheek-pieces divided by a vertical gap and a flaring neck-guard. Above the notch at each side are perforations for attachment of the chin strap. The perimeter preserves small pins for attachment of a decorative trim, now missing, but discernable from variations in the patina.

For closely-related examples, see nos. 26 and 27 in A. Bottini, et al., eds., Antike Helme.

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