Details

LOT 0179

Greek Peltast Light Infantry Pilos Helmet

5TH-3RD CENTURY BC

9 1/4" (861 grams, 23.5cm).

A bronze conical helmet with carination above the brim, bands of rivetting to the cone and sides; small ancient riveted repair to the front-centre.

Provenance

Property of a gentleman living in central London; formerly with Bonhams, London, sale 24098, lot 109; previously with Sakae Art Gallery, Nagoya, Japan; acquired in 1981; accompanied by a copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages.

Literature

See Egg, M. & Waurick, G. Antike Helme, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz, 1990, for discussion.

Footnotes

The Greek πῖλος was a conical felt cap without a brim, associated in popular culture with the Divine Twins (Dioskouroi), Kastor and Polydeukes. The helmet was used by the peltast light infantry troops, over the felt cap equivalent.

CONDITION