Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0306
Roman Bronze Legionary Helmet with Inscription
1ST CENTURY B.C.
11 in. (17 3/4 in.) (2.2 kg, 28 cm (4 kg total, 45 cm high including stand)).
Montefortino helmet with bulbous domed skull and a plain crest knob with flattened top; plain and flat neck guard with thickened rim; the front with punched Latin inscription 'A N CFN'; the surface largely covered in marine encrustations; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.
Provenance
Private European collection, acquired 2001.
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 searcher certificate no.11576-198953.
Literature
Cf. Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975, pls.22-27, pp.18ff.; Schaaf, U., 'Etruskich-Römische Helme' in Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.318-326, and nos.112-113; D'Amato, R., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, London, 2009, fig.20; Junkelmann, M., Römische Helme, Mainz, 2000, pp.52ff., pl.VI (AG 537); Travis, H. & Travis J., Roman Helmets, Stroud, 2014, pp.51-52.
Footnotes
This Montefortino specimen belongs to type C or D of Robinson’s classification, also identified under the continental system as Buggenum. The helmets of this category, mainly legionary helmets, were produced in mass by the state to be supplied to the troops fighting in the civil wars of the 1st century B.C. Artistic sources of the same period provide evidence for the use of Montefortino and Buggenum type helmets in sea battles, which has been confirmed by archaeological finds from the Albenga ship. Legionary helmets bore punched inscriptions, indicating the name of the wearer and the unit, i.e. cohors, centuria or turma. Here the punched letters 'AN' refer probably to the initials of the owner (Ancus N.?), and 'CFN' to centuria of Fabius C.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Elamite Bronze Crescentic Axehead
Mid 3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
With slender tubular socket, horizontal upper cheek and curved lower one, scooped profile to blade with convex cutting edge. 333 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
English Civil War Iron Cannon Ball
1642-1651 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Possibly made for a naval long gun, a 'long nine'. 4.3 kg, 98 mm wide
Found in a churchyard in Derbyshire, UK, before 1950. Acquired from the son of the clergyman that found it, in 2004. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
Roman Iron Military Plumbata Head
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Missile weapon with short iron shaft and square-section barbed head, lead sleeve to the lower end of the shaft. 116 grams, 19 cm
From the collection of B. Posey, UK, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae, (or breasted javelin) were short darts mounted upon a shaft, of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 meters by trained soldiers. They could also be fixed upon longer shafts.