GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Helmets designed at the major Greek commercial city of Corinth were popular throughout the archaic period (6th-early 5th century B.C.E). A variant of the later type of Corinthian helmet was produced in the Greek settlements of southern Italy, under strong Etruscan and Italic influence. Such helmets were part of elaborate ceremonial armor and as such were often buried with the dead in the Greek areas of Magna Graecia and in Etruria, where magnates were commonly buried with Greek-style luxury objects. This type of helmet was not worn over the face, but pushed back on the top of the head, with the rear plate protecting the warrior's neck. The piece is cold hammered. Its crest holder is attached with rivets, and there are also rivets for attaching a helmet liner. The outside of the helmet is elegantly ornamented with an incised herringbone pattern and palmettes. Two rampant boars are incised on the cheek pieces. These incised decorations are related to contemporary drawings on vases as well as to similar examples of ornamental metalwork. In the clarity of the decoration and the crisp purity of shape, this helmet is a masterpiece of military display.
Excerpt from
Anne Bromberg, "Corinthian-type helmet with boars," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Charles Venable (New Haven, NJ: Yale University Press, 1997), 33.
NOTES
updated provenance
updated geo x-refs
Notes from visit of 24 April 1987 with Arielle Kozloff and Carlos Picon
"Areille wondered if the helmet really was ancient and if so how much of the drawing was done in ancient or modern times? she said there are more fakes of Crinthian helmets than real ones, and that if this were to be exhibited in Cleveland she would have it looked at by Arthur Beale (Conservator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). At best this one has been drastically overcleaned. She was very worried about the close proximity of the eyes on the helmet, and the poor drawing of the animals together with their very dead expressions indicated to her that they might have been added in the twentieth century."
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RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1966: Elie Borowski, Basel, Switzerland [1]
From 1966: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas Art Association purchased from above [2]
[1] See invoice in the Collections Records Object File (1966.8)
[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- The prongs on either side of the plume holder on top of this helmet may have also held animal horns, similar to certain Mycenean helmets and the familiar headgear of the Norsemen.
TEACHING IDEAS
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Apply to objects where number equals 1966.8
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General Description
Helmets designed at the major Greek commercial city of Corinth were popular throughout the archaic period (6th-early 5th century B.C.E). A variant of the later type of Corinthian helmet was produced in the Greek settlements of southern Italy, under strong Etruscan and Italic influence. Such helmets were part of elaborate ceremonial armor and as such were often buried with the dead in the Greek areas of Magna Graecia and in Etruria, where magnates were commonly buried with Greek-style luxury objects. This type of helmet was not worn over the face, but pushed back on the top of the head, with the rear plate protecting the warrior's neck. The piece is cold hammered. Its crest holder is attached with rivets, and there are also rivets for attaching a helmet liner. The outside of the helmet is elegantly ornamented with an incised herringbone pattern and palmettes. Two rampant boars are incised on the cheek pieces. These incised decorations are related to contemporary drawings on vases as well as to similar examples of ornamental metalwork. In the clarity of the decoration and the crisp purity of shape, this helmet is a masterpiece of military display.
Excerpt from
Anne Bromberg, "Corinthian-type helmet with boars," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Charles Venable (New Haven, NJ: Yale University Press, 1997), 33.
Fun Facts
- The prongs on either side of the plume holder on top of this helmet may have also held animal horns, similar to certain Mycenean helmets and the familiar headgear of the Norsemen.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
updated provenance
updated geo x-refs
Notes from visit of 24 April 1987 with Arielle Kozloff and Carlos Picon
"Areille wondered if the helmet really was ancient and if so how much of the drawing was done in ancient or modern times? she said there are more fakes of Crinthian helmets than real ones, and that if this were to be exhibited in Cleveland she would have it looked at by Arthur Beale (Conservator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). At best this one has been drastically overcleaned. She was very worried about the close proximity of the eyes on the helmet, and the poor drawing of the animals together with their very dead expressions indicated to her that they might have been added in the twentieth century."
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1966: Elie Borowski, Basel, Switzerland [1]
From 1966: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas Art Association purchased from above [2]
[1] See invoice in the Collections Records Object File (1966.8)
[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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VIDEO ASSETS
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