Details

LOT 0236

Neo-Assyrian Bronze Military Helmet

8TH CENTURY B.C.

21 3/4 in. (3.5 kg total, 55.5 cm high including stand).

With lateral seams, attachment holes to lower edge, bowl with tall conical peak; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Acquired on the UK art market.
From a private collection, 1980s.
Ex central 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.11765-203977.

Literature

Cf. Born, H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Mainz, 1995, pl.VI, VII, XIII-XV, and pp.134-149, for a near identical helmet in the Guttmann collection (AG204).

Footnotes

From the reign of King Tiglatpilesar III (744-727 B.C.) or possibly later. The army of the Neo-Assyrian Empire consisted of large units of cavalry and skilled archers. Mobile workshops and smiths produced vast quantities of arrows and spears that were required while on campaign. The royal palaces of Nineveh, Ashur, and Nimrud were adorned with reliefs depicting Neo-Assyrian troops including foot soldiers in similar pointed bronze helmets. The helmet was originally bimetallic, made of bronze and iron. Although the iron section is now preserved only in fragments, having deteriorated long ago; the bronze half remains.