Lot 890
A Chalcidian helmet, variant of type V, northern Black Sea area, 4th century B.C.
Works of Art, Antiquities & Ancient Art | A108kua | Live auction | 490 Lots
Description
Bronze helmet with remnants of the original, full-faced tin plating, movable cheek pieces (paragnathides), nasal bar and neck guard. The skull and side section of the helmet forged in one piece. The skull divided into two hemispherical lobes by a blunt medial ridge and offset from the lower part of the helmet by a distinct section that retracts inwards slightly. Above the forehead, the distinct section curves upwards from both sides to form a point that merges into the medial ridge. The lower helmet section is decorated at the eye and ear cut-outs with contoured ribs in repoussé. A lancet-shaped, drawn out nose guard set between the eye openings. The cheek pieces with two circular cut-outs on the front, attached to the skull by means of a multi-link hinge consisting of five bushings. The bushings on the side of the helmet made of bent sheet metal from the brim, those of the cheek pieces from a sheet riveted to the upper edge of the underside. The antique hinge pins have been lost. The edges of the cheek pieces with a bevelled chamfer. A perforation at the bottom to attach a loop for the chin strap, originally fastened to the lost helmet lining. The cheek pieces can be attached with modern hooks and eyelets fixed on the inside of the helmet sections. Behind the ear cut-outs, after a short, shallow curving flap, the neck guard protrudes at right angles to the side of the helmet, with a maximum width of 4 cm, and runs slightly offset in a roof shape. The surface covered with significant traces of corrosion in places and mottled with brownish-red and green oxide layers where the shiny silver tin-plating is no longer preserved. Cracks in the helmet side and skull have been closed and stabilised from the inside. The substance almost completely preserved without defects. Any cracks and minor defects in the cheek pieces have been closed from the underside, stabilised and replaced as necessary. The gauze soaked in synthetic resin and colour-matched is discernible. Height including inserted cheek pieces approx. 33 cm, maximum width 19.7 cm, length 27.7 cm. CULTURAL ASSET.Provenance: Private French collection. Acquired in a gallery in 2013. Private French collection, prior to 1980.
Condition: II - Questions about the lot?
