South Italian Metalwork: Bronze Helmet

Inv. No.: 77.001
Provenance: South Italy
Date: 3rd century BC
Height: 165mm
Length: 230mm
Width: 194mm
 
Gift of the Alumni Association, The University of Queensland.

A South Italian Greek helmet, derived from the Corinthian type of Greek helmet. It is dome-shaped with small, almond-shaped eye holes surmounted by long, curving "eyebrows" in relief. These join in the centre to form a ridge that finishes between the eye holes. The eyebrow ridge is echoed by a moulding of similar shape near the top of the front of the helmet. This moulding and the ends of the "eyebrows" join at the sides and a ridge continues around the back of the helmet. There was once an everted flange at the bottom of the helmet, at the back, but this has largely disappeared except at the outer edges. On each side, near the commencement of the flange, is a hole used for the attachment of a lining (this hole is filled in on the left hand side of the helmet). A two-pronged plume holder is riveted to the top of the helmet. It leans slightly backwards and the left hand prong is slightly shorter than the one on the right. The eye holes are purely decorative devices and were situated near the top of the head when it was being worn. The front and sides of the helmet, below the eye holes, are decorated with a pair of engraved boars. The design of the helmet was derived from the appearance of the Corinthian helmet when it was pushed back from the face. The helmet is in very good condition with some green discolouration and pitting of the surface.

Function:
Used to protect the head, this was part of the armour of a Greek hoplite in Southern Italy. When decorated with plumes, it must also have helped to intimidate the enemy.

Manufacture:
This helmet was hammered into shape from a single piece of bronze. Decorative patterns were added by hammering the undersurface of the metal (repoussé work) and engraving the upper surface. The plume holder is riveted to the top of the helmet.

Decoration:

1. The outer edge of the left hand eye hole is outlined by an engraved line that ends in small curls; beyond this is another engraved pattern in the shape of a large tear drop. Engraved eyelashes surround the eye hole.
2. The right hand eye has similar patterns, but they are less distinct.
3. Above the eyes are relief "eyebrows" that join in the centre and continue down between the eyes for a short distance.
4. There is a ridge above the eyebrows that is a similar shape. It joins with the eyebrows at their outer edges and the moulding continues around the back of the helmet.
5. On each side of the front of the helmet, below the eye holes, there is an engraved outline of a boar. The boars are shown in profile, facing towards the centre. Each is shown with one ear, a tusk and a hairy neck and back.
6. Along the bottom edge of the helmet, at the front and sides, is an engraved zig-zag line.

Bibliography:
Bottini, A., "Apulisch-Korinthische Helme", Antike Helme, Mainz, Verlag des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums, 1988, 107-136 (this helmet is listed as No. 4, Type D, p. 136).

Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at War, London, Macdonald, 1981, 60-63.

Hanson, V. D. (ed.), Hoplites: The Classical Greek Battle Experience, London and New York, Routledge, 1991.

Kanowski, M.G., The Antiquities Collection, catalogue, Department of Classics and Ancient History, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 1978, 63.

Snodgrass, A. M., Arms and Armour of the Greeks, London, Thames and Hudson, 1967 (especially 128).

Sotheby's Catalogue, 4 April 1977, No. 189.

Stary, P., "Italische Helme des I Jahrtausends vor Christus", Italian Iron Age Artefacts in the British Museum: Papers of the Sixth British Museum Classical Colloquium, ed. J. Swaddling, London, British Museum Publications, 1986, 25-35.

Steinberg, A., "Techniques of Working Bronze" in D. G. Mitten and S. F. Doeringer, Master Bronzes from the Classical World, Mainz on Rhine, Philipp von Zabern, 1967, 9-15.

Warry, J., Warfare in the Classical World, New York, St Martin Press, 1980.

Comparanda:
Bottini, A., "Apulisch-Korinthische Helme", Antike Helme, Mainz, Verlag des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums, 1988, Abb. 1 (drawing of an Apulian-Corinthian helmet being worn), Abb. 18 (similar helmet).

Carratelli, G. P. (ed.), The Western Greeks, exhibition catalogue, Palazzo Grassi, Venice, 1996, Catalogue No. 116 (5^th century bronze helmet).

Comstock, M. and C. Vermeule, Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Greenwich, Connecticut, New York Graphic Society, 1971, No. 589B.