CELTIC IRON AGE HELMET WITH ANIMALS

Ca.400 BC.Celtic Iron Age Helmet, 4th century BC A iron helmet composed of riveted sheets, and panels of bronze. The domed top with central poppy head-shaped finial and four triangular panels to the side forming a cross. The sides decorated with four panels with repousse decoration of running wolves, tail arching over the back of the body. The lower rim pierced to attach separate leather lining. Archaeologists have uncovered Celtic helmets throughout their territory. The highest concentration and numbers of finds have been in the lands of the Senones tribe. It is in this area of northern Italy that lie the Montefortino burial grounds. The ancient writer, Tacitus, stated that the British Celts and Germans did not wear helmets. Indeed, very few Celtic helmets have been found in Britain and it appears that helmets were common only among the Gauls, the upper-class warriors in particular. These high-quality helmet designs were a great influence on Roman armorers. Aside from the few examples known the only information we have on them is from Classical writers, such as Diodorus Siculus: “On their heads they put bronze helmets which have large embossed figures standing out from them and give an appearance of great size to those who wear them; for in some cases horns are attached to the helmet so as to form a single piece, in other cases images of the fore-parts of birds or four-footed animals”. Diodorus Siculus (History V.30.2)Good condition; H:145mm/D:200mm/H:450mm 5.71x7.87/17.72 in (with stand);498g/692g(with stand); Provenance: From an old Darbyshire collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. All Items sold by Pax Romana Auctions come with professional Certificate of Authenticity