Helmet
Dublin Core
Title
Helmet
Subject
Bronze
Description
Description:
A South Italian Greek helmet, derived from the Corinthian type of Greek helmet. It is dome-shaped with small, almond-shaped eye holes surmounted by long, curving "eyebrows" in relief. These join in the centre to form a ridge that finishes between the eye holes. The eyebrow ridge is echoed by a molding of similar shape near the top of the front of the helmet. This molding and the ends of the "eyebrows" join at the sides and a ridge continues around the back of the helmet. There was once an everted flange at the bottom of the helmet, at the back, but this has largely disappeared except at the outer edges. On each side, near the commencement of the flange, is a hole used for the attachment of a lining (this hole is filled in on the left hand side of the helmet). A two-pronged plume holder is riveted to the top of the helmet. It leans slightly backwards and the left hand prong is slightly shorter than the one on the right. The eye holes are purely decorative devices and were situated near the top of the head when it was being worn. The front and sides of the helmet, below the eye holes, are decorated with a pair of engraved boars. The design of the helmet was derived from the appearance of the Corinthian helmet when it was pushed back from the face. The helmet is in very good condition with some green discolouration and pitting of the surface.
Function:
Used to protect the head, this was part of the armour of a Greek hoplite in Southern Italy. When decorated with plumes, it must also have helped to intimidate the enemy.
Decoration:
A) The outer edge of the left hand eye hole is outlined by an engraved line that ends in small curls; beyond this is another engraved pattern in the shape of a large tear drop. Engraved eyelashes surround the eye hole.
B) The right hand eye has similar patterns, but they are less distinct.
C) Above the eyes are relief "eyebrows" that join in the centre and continue down between the eyes for a short distance.
D) There is a ridge above the eyebrows that is a similar shape. It joins with the eyebrows at their outer edges and the moulding continues around the back of the helmet.
E) On each side of the front of the helmet, below the eye holes, there is an engraved outline of a boar. The boars are shown in profile, facing towards the centre. Each is shown with one ear, a tusk and a hairy neck and back.
F) Along the bottom edge of the helmet, at the front and sides, is an engraved zig-zag line
A South Italian Greek helmet, derived from the Corinthian type of Greek helmet. It is dome-shaped with small, almond-shaped eye holes surmounted by long, curving "eyebrows" in relief. These join in the centre to form a ridge that finishes between the eye holes. The eyebrow ridge is echoed by a molding of similar shape near the top of the front of the helmet. This molding and the ends of the "eyebrows" join at the sides and a ridge continues around the back of the helmet. There was once an everted flange at the bottom of the helmet, at the back, but this has largely disappeared except at the outer edges. On each side, near the commencement of the flange, is a hole used for the attachment of a lining (this hole is filled in on the left hand side of the helmet). A two-pronged plume holder is riveted to the top of the helmet. It leans slightly backwards and the left hand prong is slightly shorter than the one on the right. The eye holes are purely decorative devices and were situated near the top of the head when it was being worn. The front and sides of the helmet, below the eye holes, are decorated with a pair of engraved boars. The design of the helmet was derived from the appearance of the Corinthian helmet when it was pushed back from the face. The helmet is in very good condition with some green discolouration and pitting of the surface.
Function:
Used to protect the head, this was part of the armour of a Greek hoplite in Southern Italy. When decorated with plumes, it must also have helped to intimidate the enemy.
Decoration:
A) The outer edge of the left hand eye hole is outlined by an engraved line that ends in small curls; beyond this is another engraved pattern in the shape of a large tear drop. Engraved eyelashes surround the eye hole.
B) The right hand eye has similar patterns, but they are less distinct.
C) Above the eyes are relief "eyebrows" that join in the centre and continue down between the eyes for a short distance.
D) There is a ridge above the eyebrows that is a similar shape. It joins with the eyebrows at their outer edges and the moulding continues around the back of the helmet.
E) On each side of the front of the helmet, below the eye holes, there is an engraved outline of a boar. The boars are shown in profile, facing towards the centre. Each is shown with one ear, a tusk and a hairy neck and back.
F) Along the bottom edge of the helmet, at the front and sides, is an engraved zig-zag line
Source
Purchased from Sotheby Parke Bernet & Co, London, with funds from the Alumni Association, 1977
Date
300 - 200 BC
Identifier
77.001
Files
Citation
“Helmet,” RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Exhibitions, accessed May 2, 2024, https://uqantiquitiesonlineexhibitions.omeka.net/items/show/61.