Lot 25D
Western Europe, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. An exceptional iron helmet dating to the period of mass confusion and European turmoil after the fall of the Roman Empire. Battle helmet showing strong Roman influence, but clearly elements of other helmet styles found in western Europe at this time. It was not uncommon for blacksmiths to take design elements from several helmets and incorporate in their own "provencial" style. Bipartite helmet bowl of two hammered sheets of iron, riveted to a rigid strip running tangently front to back. The cheek pieces are remarkably well preserved. Each piece is fixed to the helmet crown by iron hinges (these being modern replacements). The hinges are attached in the interior faces of the proximal end of the cheek piece and interior of the helmet, the rivets passing through the crown band and bowl of the helmet. At the proximal end of the hinge are three rivets forming a triangle. On the distal end are two rivets. The hinges are similar to those on the Anglian helmet found in York and the Pioneer Helmet from Wollaston Northamptonshire. A neck guard was riveted to the bowl of the helmet on its interior face. Circumference of the guard decorated with punched rivet decoration. Flare to both ends, and concave in profile. Size: 8" L x 10" W x 11.5" H (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm x 29.2 cm)
Helmet metal composition has been tested confirming age of the metal. This was done by Dr. Gerry McDonnell, founder and president of Archaeometals in Cardiff, Wales. His analysis shows the age of the metal in the helmet and ear-flaps date to the 6th century CE. Additoonally, the helmet has been reviewed by reviewed and documented in the United Kingdom by Paul L. Dawson Bsc Hons MA FINS, a specialist in weapons and armor of this period. In his conclusion he states "The helmet is clearly not a product of the Roman Empire. Given the lack of decoration, and simplicity of construction, the helmet appears to be a derivative of the Germanic Band-Spangenhelm and dates, probably to the 5th to 7th century AD, perhaps from the time of the Gothic migrations following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The helmet has clear Roman influence, especially the cheek pieces. Early copies of ridge helmets include the Fernpass example, dated to the 4th century and found in Austria, and believed to belong to a Germanic warrior who had his own helmet modified to look like a ridge helmet. Many helmets of the Germanic states of Western and Northern Europe in the Early Middle Ages are derivations of the Roman ridge helmet, these include the Anglo-Saxon Coppergate helmet. In my view the helmet appears to be a derivative of the Germanic Band-Spangenhelm helmet type and dates, probably to the 5th to 7th century AD."
Provenance: Ex-private A. Green collection, UK
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#109678
- Condition: In remarkably excellent condition. Nasal guard missing, exterior rusted, hinges are modern replacements, entire helmet stabilized, cleaned and professionally conserved.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |