Apollo Art Auctions

January 2023 Auction  –  29 January 2023

Apollo Art Auctions , January 2023 Auction

Ancient Art and Coins

Su, 29.01.2023, from 1:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

RARE GREEK CORINTHIAN BRONZE HELMET
Ca. 600 BC.
A bronze combat helmet of Archaic Corinthian-Type, hammered from a single sheet of bronze with finely contoured almond-shaped eyes that gently taper to a point. Simplistic curvilinear eyebrows. Arched enveloping cheek pieces that provide a vertical opening for the mouth. A border has been drilled with rounded head-headed rivets to secure an interior lining. The nose-guard is wide with a round conical shaped terminal end. The dome-shaped calotte with a widely protruding round back of the head continuing into a slightly flaring neck-guard. The ridge decorated with linear decoration above the eyebrows. The domed skull with attachments for plumes. This fine example of helmet would have been owned by a wealthy member of the social elite. Perhaps someone of high importance. Item comes with a professional historical report from Ancient Report Specialists.
Literature: Martin D’Arcy, S.J., Dr Werner Muensterberger, Edward Sullivan, C.S.B Persona Grata, an Exhibition of Masks from 1200 B.C. to the Present, exhibit catalogue, University of St. Thomas, Houston, 1960, no. 1, illus. R. Hixenbaugh, Ancient Greek Helmets: A Complete Guide and Catalogue, New York, 2019.
Cf. Christie’s, 19738, Antiquities, 21 April 2021, lot 52 and 72. The Walters Art Museum, Accession Number: 54.2304. The British Museum, Accession Number: 1824.0407.32.
This elite form of hoplite helmet is commonly referred to as “Corinthian-Type” because it is worn by the goddess Athena on Corinthian coins. Originating in Greece it was named after the polis Corinth. Although these helmets were not limited to one production place. These helmets were popular in Greece and in territories colonised by or in regular contact with the Greeks. The hoplite wearing a Corinthian helmet would have been a frightening sight to any enemy with a pair of glaring eyes behind a stylised cut-out.
The helmet is completely intact, without repair or restoration which is rare on the global art market.
Size: L:160mm / W:280mm ; 725g
Provenance: Important Private collection of Ancient Art, London UK; formerly in an old Spanish 'Cervera' collection, acquired in the early 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 60000 - 120000

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Bidding

Price realized 31'000 GBP
Starting price 20'000 GBP
Estimate 60'000 GBP
The auction is closed.
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