Classical World, Etruria, ca. late 4th to 3rd century CE. A single-cast bronze Montefortino helmet of a domed bowl form with layers of deep, glossy patina and a top knob incised with a layered, scale-form motif. The hammer-refined form is decorated with wheel-engraved stripes just above the brim as well as engraved slashes across the brim to create a twisted cord presentation. Pairs of rivets still remain on either side of the brim, the right side still retaining the original cheek piece mount, and a rivet on the back secured a neck panel. The neck guard was formed by pulling the "bowl" shape of the helmet back, and as a consequence the helmet is thinner at the lower back of the head. Size: 10" L x 8.625" W x 8.125" H (25.4 cm x 21.9 cm x 20.6 cm); 17.375" H (44.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Helmets of this type originated with Celtic people north and west of the Italian peninsula, but the Etruscans and Romans adopted the style, with the former particularly using it from the 4th to 2nd centuries BCE. Roughly 400 of these helmets survive today in museums and private collections. They were overwhelmingly popular during the 3rd century BCE, when Roman hegemony and centralization of arms and armor production erased many of the individual styles of smaller northern Italian polities. Helmets of this type have been found in Etruscan and Roman graves and in river deposits far and wide, such as one in Nijmegen, Netherlands, found in a river near a legionary encampment, probably deposited as a gift to the gods. It was made to be worn high on the head, with padding inserted, designed to give protection from Celtic slashing swords.

For similar examples, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2015.758.1 as well as the British Museum, museum numbers 1851,0813.46 and 1873,0820.226.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2007

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#175749

Professional restoration to 1 or 2 holes in scattered areas, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Loss to cheek pieces and left cheek piece mount as shown. Indentations perhaps caused during battle, with abrasions, encrustations, and nicks commensurate with age, softening to some engraved decorations, and heavy earthen deposits within helmet. Exterior surfaces professionally cleaned with light polishing. Great patina throughout!