LOT 0324

Scythian Bronze 'Kuban' Type Helmet

7TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.

9 1/4 in. (1.47 kg, 23.5 cm wide).

Raised from a single sheet with rounded skull and semi-circular cut-outs for the eyes with raised rims, raised bar to the front extending to the top with a loop; ten circular perforations to the lower edge; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]

Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, 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.12616-235608.
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.

Cf. Cernenko, E.V., The Scythians, 700-300 BC, London, 1983, p.11, pl.A1; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian, colour plate 15, fig.3; plate XLII, nos.figs.29-30, 33-34, for identical types.

This war helmet, typical of the Caucasian Scythians, belongs to the so-called Kuban type according to B. Z. Rabinovich, named after the north Caucasian region where the majority of this type of helmets were found. The helmet is almost identical to the helmet found in the 6th century barrow at Kelermes (Stanitsa Kelermeskaya), and in fact many of such helmets have been found in the Northern Caucasus. The helmets were typical of the noblemen fighting on horseback with spear, javelins and especially with bow and arrows.