GREEK CHALCIDIAN BRONZE HELMET - XRF TESTED

Ca. 500-300 BC. Greek. A beautiful example of a Chalcidian helmet. The bowl is forged in one piece, featuring high-arched eyebrows below a peaked raised band; a short teardrop-shaped nose guard extends down from the raised eyes. The articulated crescentic cheek-pieces with contoured edges are attached with metal wires; a hole for the attachment of a chin-strap is visible. Chalcidian helmets are named after similar helmets depicted on pottery vases from the Euboean city of Chalcis. This type of ancient Greek helmet was a lighter and less restrictive form of the Corinthian helmet. The hinged cheek pieces were anatomically formed to fit closely to the face and tended to curve upward towards the eye, where large circular openings provided a wider field of view than the Corinthian helmets. Excellent condition with partial repairs, beautiful patina; the item has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements. This analysis will accompany the purchase. Mounted on a custom-made stand. For more information on Chalcidian helmets, see Everson, T. (2004). Warfare in Ancient Greece: arms and armour from the heroes of Homer to Alexander the Great. The History Press, 116-124.Size: L:330mm / W:235mm ; 855g. Provenance: Property of a European collector, acquired in 2018; formerly owned by Mr. E. De Kloet, acquired in Amsterdam, 1988; formerly in a collection of a German gentleman F. König, acquired in 1951, previously acquired by Mr. L. Brandt from a German gallery in 1932. Copies of the original invoices will accompany this object.