Roman Legionary Helmet with Inscription
1st century B.C. A bronze Montefortino helmet with bulbous domed skull and a plain crest knob with flattened top; plain and flat neck guard with thickened rim; the front with punched Latin inscription 'A N CFN'; the surface largely covered in marine marine encrustations; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. Cf. Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975, pls.22-27, pp.18ff.; Schaaf, U., 'Etruskich-Römische Helme' in Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.318-326, and nos.112-113; D'Amato, R., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, London, 2009, fig.20; Junkelmann, M., Römische Helme, Mainz, 2000, pp.52ff., pl.VI (AG 537); Travis, H. & Travis J., Roman Helmets, Stroud, 2014, pp.51-52. 2.2 kg, 28 cm (4 kg total, 45 cm high including stand) (11 in. (17 3/4 in.)). Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001.Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This Montefortino specimen belongs to type C or D of Robinson’s classification, also identified under the continental system as Buggenum. The helmets of this category, mainly legionary helmets, were produced in mass by the state to be supplied to the troops fighting in the civil wars of the 1st century B.C. Artistic sources of the same period provide evidence for the use of Montefortino and Buggenum type helmets in sea battles, which has been confirmed by archaeological finds from the Albenga ship. The legionary helmets had inscriptions punched upon them, indicating the name of the wearer and the unit, i.e. cohors, centuria or turma. Here the punched letters 'AN' refer probably to the initials of the owner (Ancus N.?), and 'CFN' to centuria of Fabius C. [For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price] A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]