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LOT 0253
Greek Bronze Illyrian Helmet
6TH-4TH CENTURY B.C.
12 1/4 in. (2.7 kg total, 31 cm high including stand).
Of domed Illyrian typology IIIA, variant 3, raised from a single sheet with protective cheek-pieces, two parallel corrugated raised ridges to the upper face, running over the crown from front to back, square-cut frontal opening with smooth edges, short curved rear flange developing from behind towards the forward curving cheek-protectors, the latter having two holes at the extremities for the fastening of a chin-strap; button pin at the centre of the back for attachment of a crest, pierced hole in the front for the corresponding pin.
ProvenanceEx Mr G. Grimm collection.
Acquired from a French auction house.
Ex important London gallery.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.10194-167379.
See Pflug, H., 'Illirysche Helme' in Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.43-64; Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at war, London, 1981; for an example of similar helmet with golden mask, from the grave 115 in Sindos, today in the archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, see Pflug, 1988, p.60; an example with similar elements from the Axel Guttman collection (Christie's, 2004, p.80) showing the same long cheekpieces and short rear flange.
FootnotesThis helmet was probably fitted with a high crest, attached with animal glue and composed of horsehair. It was positioned inside a holder worn between the raised ridges and fastened to the front and back pins, one of them still visible. The recent finds of Illyrian helmets without reinforced edges have suggested that the variants of this typology of helmet could have evolved as their own group, during the late period of its employment (from mid 6th to 4th century B.C.). The earlier specimens have been found in Olympia and Trebeniste (North Macedonia), although the neck protection of these helmets was still in the style of archaic Illyrian types. The helmets from Sindos introduced the characteristics of such late evolution. The diffusion of this typology shows that it was preferred by Macedonian warriors, by the Illyrian fighters and by the Greeks in Sicily and Peloponnesos, considering that the finds are concentrated in the corresponding areas.
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LOT 0253
Greek Bronze Illyrian Helmet
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000€17,400 - 23,200 (for guidance only)$20,250 - 27,000 (for guidance only)
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Cromwellian Pikeman's Pot Helmet
1642-1651 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Of Morion Cabasset Type, the iron bowl composed of two rivetted parts with a crest; plume holder to the rear; wide sloping brim with smooth border and rivets; repaired. 1.16 kg, 35 cm
Ex Michael D Long Ltd, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11769-204122.
A complete set of pikeman's armour consisted of a gorget, back and breast plates, and tassets. With the outbreak of the Civil War, obsolete equipment which had been stored in the Tower of London or in private armouries was brought into service together with more modern equipment. Helmets of this type were often furnished of cheek-pieces made of horizontal rows of blades. -
Greek Bronze Arrowhead Group
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Mainly comprising socketted arrowheads of triangular type, including at least one barbed and one tanged example. 213 grams total, 32-56 mm
Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. -
Turkish Iron Sabre
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Comprising a cross-shaped hand guard, the blade with a slight curvature widening towards the point; mounted on a custom-made wall mount. 1.35 kg total, 95 cm including stand
Still-homogenous blade structure, pitting and traces of surface material losses due to the permanence in water; presence of many battle nicks on the cutting part of the blade.
Private collection, Munich, Germany, 1970s. Private collection, London, UK, 2014, acquired from the above.
The Turkish sabres from 15th century, had hilts similar to Omayyad and Abbasid's swords. The blades were long and heavy and were most probably used for swinging cuts, and were particularly convenient for point-thrusts when fighting on foot.