An Illyrian helmet, type 3A, variant 3, 2nd half of the 6th – 5th century B.C.

An Illyrian helmet, type 3A, variant 3, 2nd half of the 6th – 5th century B.C.Late form of Illyrian helmet, type 3A, variant 3 with smooth rim. Bronze helmet chased in one piece. The integral cheek pieces extend vertically downwards alongside the face cutout, rising from the anterior corners to the back in an elegant curve and terminating into pointed side cutouts, which slope to a slightly flaring neck guard with a maximum width of 2.6 cm. The smooth rim of the face cutout and the rear edges of the cheek pieces are punched with circular marks reminiscent of the rows of rivets found in earlier specimens. The corners of the cheek pieces pierced with holes to attach leather straps. Across the crown two ridges hammered out from the inside, forming a crest rail to attach the plume. A rivet with disc-shaped head on the forehead and a hook at the nape, of which only the outlines of the soldered base in the corrosion layer are visible, served the same purpose. Surface covered with green patina and minor incrustations. Apart from a crack at the bend between neck guard and skull, which was stabilised from the inside with artificial silk and synthetic resin, the helmet is completely intact and without replacements. Original substance fully preserved! Height approx. 26 cm, width 20.5 cm, length 23.7 cm.Provenance: Frankfurt private collection. Acquired from Hermann Historica in April 2016 (auction 72, lot 4553). Previously a South German private collection, acquired in the art trade in the 1980s.Condition: II