Lot 1040
Iron helmet with a conical top and a mail neck guard, Russian forest-steppe region, 12th–13th centuries A.D.
Works of Art, Antiquities & Ancient Art | A109kua | Live auction | 1190 Lots
Description
Conical calotte with a slightly outward-set border. In the lower half a steep wall, minimally bowed outwards, then after a soft but distinct break a slightly inward-tapering upper section, terminating at the top with an opening 3 cm wide, in which a fitting was once attached. In the rear part of the calotte, at a distance of approximately 2.5 cm from the border, loops of rounded bands are fastened in close succession at intervals of approx. 3 cm. Through these loops a wire is threaded, which at its ends encircles the upper half of each loop in a ring. Suspended from this wire is a rectangular mail neck guard hanging down approx. 28 cm. The rings of the mail are made from alternating rows of stamped and riveted rings. Diameter of the round calotte at the lower border 25 cm. Height 22 cm. Professionally conserved and stabilised. On the inside with accretions of fine-grained gravel. A few minor losses in the largely complete mail neck guard. Otherwise an excellently preserved helmet of the poly-ethnic population of the forest-steppe zone of medieval Russia. CULTURAL ASSET!Provenance: Belgian private collection, J.C. Acquired in 1969 on the American art market.
Condition: II Questions about the lot?
