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LOT 1089
Italian Foot-Combat Helm
21ST CENTURY A.D.
14 1/2 in. (3.9 kg, 37 cm high).
Comprising a pivoting visor, one piece skull raising to a small medial comb and fitted at the nape with a plume holder, flower-shaped pivots, front and rear gorget formed of a single plate.
ProvenanceThe Kusmirek Collection, UK.
LiteratureCf. a similar combat helm in Pyhrr, S.W., Of Arms and men, Arms and Armour at the Metropolitan 1912-2012, New York, 2012, fig,6.
FootnotesThe helmet is a reproduction of a foot-combat helm, or great bascinet, used between the end of 15th and the first half of 16th century in the battles and tournaments. A similar helmet is that of Sir Giles Capel (1485-1556), a prominent figure at Henry VIII's court. These helmets were characterised by a unique rounded pierced visor with (here 60) slots for sight and ventilation. Helmets of this massive size and distinctive type were intended for foot-combat, a sporting contest fought by two fully armoured warriors armed with poleaxes, spears or swords. However, in this reproduction the visor has been mounted upon a separated collar.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Military Helmet Section
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
From the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with an embossed band of diagonal lines, Jupiter’s eagle embossed to the centre, looking back and holding a laurel crown in its beak; a hole for the fastening thongs at ear-level. 87 grams, 19.7 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
The decoration of Roman weaponry contained themes that were directly associated with state propaganda, as well as with the Imperial cult. As the god-protector of the state and the army, Jupiter was the most esteemed. The combination of an eagle (helmet), Minerva and bust of Mars (armour) can also be understood as an image of dii militares. -
Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £176
Each a tapering scrolled bar of zoomorphic form representing serpents or other animals with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 32.7 grams total, 63-67 mm
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier. -
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Nathan Starr 1816 Pattern Musket
1832 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Type III, made under contract by Nathan Starr of Middletown, CT; with .69 calibre, 107 cm (42”) browned barrel with side lock marked with Starr’s earlier style of 'US / (ornate sunburst) / N. STARR' ahead of the cock and 'MIDDTN / CONN / 1832 / (rosette)' to the rear with 'US / JM' over a raised 'P' in sunken circular cartouche to top of breech, with various inspection and other small marks, fitted with sling swivels (upper possibly a replacement), steel ramrod with flared tip, full wood stock with steel butt plate, trigger guard, side-plate, barrel rings and fore-end, lock with brass pan; action in good working order. 4.10 kg, 148 cm
Acquired from M J Noble Ltd, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by the Noble purchase invoice and listing.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.
