Pseudo-Illyrian Chalcidian Variant Bronze Helmet
4th-1st century B.C. Large rounded two-part bowl rivetted beneath the repoussé crest extending across the brow and around the circumference; repoussé arches above the eyes extending to the nasal; lateral D-shaped cheek-pieces with scallop to the forward edge, pierced for a chin-strap; some restoration of the bowl; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Beglova, E.A., Antichnoe nasledie Kubani (Ancient heritage of Kuban) III, Moscow, pp.410-422 (in Russian); Dedjulkin A. V., 'Locally Made Protective Equipment of the Population of North-Western Caucasus in the Hellenistic Period', in Stratum Plus, no.3, 2014, pp.169-184; ????????? ?. ?., '????? ??????????? ??????? ?? ????????? ??????' (Sarmatian Age Helmets from Eastern Europe), in Stratum Plus, no.4, 2014, fig.15, no.1.
2.9 kg total, 48.5 cm high including stand (19 in.).
Acquired 1971-1972.From the collection of the vendor's father.Property of a London, UK, collector.Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11752-202771. According both to Symonenko and Dedjulkin (2014, p.189, fig.9, nn.4-5-6), this category of helmets derived from the Chalcidian type with elements of pseudo-Illyrian variants. Like the Chalcidian helmets, our specimen shows vertical decorative lines on the bowl and the triangular brow decoration which characterises similar specimens.