Lot 65
65
A ROMAN COPPER ALLOY MASK FROM A CAVALRY SPORT OR PARADE HELMET
PROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
A ROMAN COPPER ALLOY MASK FROM A CAVALRY SPORT OR PARADE HELMET

CIRCA LATE 2ND-MID 3RD CENTURY A.D.

Details
A ROMAN COPPER ALLOY MASK FROM A CAVALRY SPORT OR PARADE HELMET
CIRCA LATE 2ND-MID 3RD CENTURY A.D.
7 in. (17.8 cm.) high
Provenance
with Mathias Komor (1909-1984), New York (Inv. no. E383)
Arthur (1928-1986) and Elaine Lustig (1927-2016) Cohen, New York, acquired from the above, 1973; thence by descent.
Property from the Estate of Elaine Lustig Cohen; Ancient Sculpture & Works of Art, Sotheby's, London, 29 November 2017, lot 3.
with Ariadne Galleries, New York and London, acquired from the above.
Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2018.

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Lot Essay

This mask, of the "Amazon" type, is closely related to a number of examples discovered in Straubing, Germany (see pp. 213-214 in R. D'Amato and A.E. Negin, Decorated Roman Armour: From the Age of the Kings to the Death of Justinian the Great). When complete, the mask featured a high, conical hairstyle composed of small ringlets and was attached to the helmet by means of a hinge at the top and two rings on either side that allowed the lower part of the mask to be fixed to the bowl through a leather strap across the neck-guard. It is thought that these masks played a role in theatrical Amazonomachy events, which were popular among Roman soldiers.

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