VERY RARE LATE ROMAN IRON HELMET

Ca.400-700 AD.An exceptional iron helmet dating to the period shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire. Battle helmet showing strong Roman influence, but clearly elements of other helmet styles found in western Europe at this time.It was not uncommon for blacksmiths to take design elements from several helmets and incorporate them into their own style.This is a helmed formed of hammered sheets of iron, riveted to a rigid strip running gently front to back.The cheekpieces are remarkably well preserved. Each piece is fixed to the helmet crown by iron hinges (these being modern replacements). The hinges are attached in the interior faces of the proximal end of the cheekpiece and interior of the helmet, the rivets passing through the crown band and bowl of the helmet. At the proximal end of the hinge are three rivets forming a triangle. On the distal end are two rivets. A neck guard well preserved Circumference of the guard decorated with punched rivet decoration. Flare to both ends, and concave in profile; Good condition; restored; H:350mm/L:270mm/H:475mm 13.78/10.63/18.7in (with stand);2125g/3513g(with stand); Provenance: From a private collection; preciously acquired on the UK and European art market in the 1980s. All Items sold by Pax Romana Auctions come with professional Certificate of Authenticity.