SUPERB GREEK CHALCIDIAN HELMET WITH DECORATION - XRF

Ca. 500-300 BC. Greek. A superb Chalcidian helmet. The bowl is forged in one piece, featuring high-arched eyebrows with an ear drop-shaped nose guard and a flaring neck-guard. The raised curves demarcating the eyes and the nose guard are decorated with bands of dots. The curved cheek pieces are attached with three hinges. 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 upwards towards the eye, where large circular openings provided a wider field of view than the Corinthian helmets. Excellent condition with some repairs, superb 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:310mm / W:265mm ; 1.1kg. Provenance: Property of European collector; formerly in a collection of a London gallery, acquired in 1998.