Roman Iron Plumbata Mamillata

An armet with rounded one-piece skull raising to a roped medial comb, visor, prow shaped upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots, each secured at the right side by a spring-catch, the visor with stepped centrally divided visor-slit and two gorget-plates. 2 kg, 31 cm high



Acquired on the European art market. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an invoice. 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.11767-203981.

The term armet is generally used to denote a visored helmet of particular construction, one in which large cheekpieces are hinged to the base of the bowl just above the ears and close in front of the chin. From about 1515 A.D., the Germans produced a variant armet where the downward extension of the skull was made much wider, reaching as far forward as the ears. The cheekpieces on this type of helmet opened sideways, on vertical hinges on the edges of this wider neck element.

Comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif. 22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Archer rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in the 14th century they served as insignia of rank for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns.

Felt covered steel water bottle of oval cylindrical shape with wood plug stopper with cord retainer and fitted with canvas carry cover and shoulder strap with printed 'H S & CO Ltd ' maker name and War Department 'broad arrow' mark and date. 592 grams, bottle 23.5 cm high



The Kusmirek Collection, UK.