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LOT 0236
Roman 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)).
A bronze 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.
ProvenancePrivate Swiss 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.
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.
FootnotesThis 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. The legionary helmets had inscriptions punched upon them, 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.
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LOT 0236
Roman Legionary Helmet with Inscription
Estimate £12,000 - 17,000€13,920 - 19,720 (for guidance only)$16,200 - 22,950 (for guidance only)
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Post Medieval Gauntlet Pair from a Suit of Armour
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Opening Bid: £300
A matched pair of iron mitten gauntlets from a tilting armour, each comprising a conical tubular wrist and ropework border in two sections permanently attached with rivets; articulating wrist section of four lames and curved finger section of four larger curved lames; hinged thumb to the side; some remnants of the original leather backing. 1.88 kg total, 33.5-34 cm high
Acquired London art market in early 1960s. From the private collection of the late Walter Steinberg, London, UK. -
Western Asiatic Flanged Macehead
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A cylindrical bronze macehead with five D-shaped flanges to the circumference; socket to base. 131 grams, 80 mm
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
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A copper-alloy axehead with roughly lozenge-shaped butt, oblong socket and paddle-shaped cheeks; incised concentric lines following the outline of the butt and flared, projecting knop at the centre. 335 grams, 16 cm
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