Greek helmet of Corinthian type B, c.500-450 BC
Bronze
Height: 24cm
12676 C
Copyright The Artist
£ 160,000
The rounded top meets a carinated ridge, which at the back flares to a broad neck-guard, and running round the sides of helmet morphs to a raised ridge which dips...
The rounded top meets a carinated ridge, which at the back flares to a broad neck-guard, and running round the sides of helmet morphs to a raised ridge which dips over the brow in a 'V', following the line of the eyebrows which are in repoussé. The large, almond-shaped eyes taper to a point and are outlined in two bands of double incised lines. The large eyes are separated by the narrow, protruding nose-guard. The broad cheek-pieces are held close to the chin leaving a vertical opening for the mouth. Each cheek piece with a circular hole close to the edge either side of the vertical opening, two further holes where the cheek pieces meet the neck-guard, would have helped secure a padded leather liner. The crown is pierced with two holes at the top for the attachment of a horsehair crest. A mottled, green patina all over with traces of the original metal showing through. Tips of both cheekpieces restored, as are sections of the neck-guard and a strip emanating from the corner of the proper left eye.
Provenance
Antiquities Liebert, Krefeld, Germany, 1965Private collection, Germany
Christie's, New York, Antiquities, 8th Jun 2005, lot 80, consigned by the above
Private collection London, UK; acquired prior to 2010
Publications
Christie's, New York, Antiquities, 8th Jun 2005, lot 80Randall Hixenbaugh, Ancient Greek Helmets, A Complete Guide and Catalog (New Jersey, 2019), C801, p.443
