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Details
LOT 0290
Roman Imperial Bronze Legionary Helmet
LATE 1ST CENTURY B.C.-EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.
10 3/8 in. (1.03 kg, 26.5 cm front to back).
A relatively heavy legionary helmet (cassis) of ‘Imperial Gallic Type’ with deep rounded bowl, simple C-shaped cut-outs for the ears, integral flared horizontal neck-guard extending some way along the sides, two corrugated ribs to the occipital area at the rear, intermitted by two bronze rivets, and four corrugated embossed 'wings' or prominent curved eyebrows flanking three riveted bosses arranged vertically; three studs on the rear of the neck-guard for attaching suspension loops to the preserved clasps of the cheek-guards (bucculae); hinged bracket at each temple once attaching the cheek-guard; embossed beaded brow band running from one ear opening to the other; mounted on a custom-made stand.
Provenance
Ex John Moore, York, UK, 1997.
Property of a North London, UK, gentleman.
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. 12789-240372.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Literature
Cf. Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Junkelmann, M., Römische Helme, Mainz, 2000, pp.138-141; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, pp.120-121, no.95; D'Amato, R., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, London, 2009, fig.134, p.115; see also a helmet of the same typology in Axel Guttmann collection, nos. AG501 (Junkelmann, 2000, pp.138-19, figs.65-66, pl.XII); D’Amato, R., Roman Centurions 31 B.C.-A.D. 500, The Classical and Late Empire, Oxford, 2012.
Footnotes
This early category of helmets was characterised by a hemispherical calotte and a slightly sloping neck guard. They were fitted with a pair of prominent curved eyebrows (symbolising the wings of Jupiter's thunderbolts) flanking rivetted bosses.
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