TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 1816
6th-5th century BC. A tinned bronze helmet formed from two curved segments each with a flared rim, nasal, raised panels to the upper section of the bowl, repoussé ridge forming curved brows; to each side, a recess for the ear and hinged cheekplate, D-shaped with a scooped forward edge. From a European collection; formerly in an old Oriental collection; acquired 1960. See discussion in Connolly, P. Greece and Rome at War, London, 1988, p.60-63. The Chalcidian helmet was popular in Greece in the fifth and fourth centuries BC, as well as the southern parts of Greece that were colonised by the Greeks. The helmet appears to have been a development of the Corinthian helmet, but with improvements in design which gave the wearer better hearing and vision, resulting in a lighter and less bulky helmet. The helmet would commonly have a hole pierced on each cheek piece or elsewhere in order to accept an inner lining which was made of leather; adornments, such as combs of horsehair, were usually placed on the top of the helmet. By the time of Alexander the Great the helmet was still worn by soldiers, most notably the hoplites, the heavy infantry men who carried long spears; the helmet would later go on to develop into the Attic helmet which is iconic of Classical soldiers. 860 grams, 34cm tall (13 1/4"). Fine condition, restored, cracked.
