URARTIAN BRONZE HELMET WITH INSCRIPTION

Ca. 800-700 BC
A helmet formed of hammered bronze sheet of conical form with two bands of horizontal raised ribs around the bottom edge. The helmet is decorated with repousse rib to the forward face ending in a beast-head and flanked by two repousse arched serpents. The representation of mythical snakes with lion heads is a recurring theme on Urartian helmets and is thought to have served as a form of magical protection against even forces. The Urartian craftsmen were renown for their skills in producing high quality metalwork. Among these were bronze helmets, quivers, and shields in which they were unique for hammering repousse and engraving techniques. The Urartian kingdom was famous for its battles with the Assyrian empire, the weaponry was in high demand. Literature: Barnett, R.D., Watson, W., Russian Excavations in Armenia, vol.14, no.2, fig.15, and pls.XXXII,2, XXXIII,2; Borchardt, J., Homerische Helme: Helmformen der Ägäis in ihren Beziehungen zu orientalischen und europäischen Helmen in der Bronze- und frühen Eisenzeit, Mainz, 1972, pp.103ff., fig.9, p.107, 10-12, p.108; pl.34,4; H. Born & i. Seidl, Schutzwafften aus Assyrien und Urartu, Band IV, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Berlin 1995, pp. 36-39. II-V.Cf. Christie's, New York 5th June 2014, Lot 55 for similar. Christie's, 14th April 2011, lot 331. The British Museum Accession number: 134611.
Size: L:310mm / W:230mm ; 905g
Provenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s in France; previously in 1970s European collection.
Estimate: GBP 5500 - 8000