This is an extraordinary,museum-qualityBronze Chalcidian-stylehelmet dating to the5th–4th century B.C., complete with its original articulated ram’s head cheek guards—an extremely rare survival feature in ancient Hellenic armor. The cheekpieces remain fully functional, hinged at the jawline, and display sculpted rams’ heads with inlaid white stone eyes still intact. The helmet’s form is classic Chalcidian, featuring a contoured brow, molded ear cutouts, and subtly flared neck guard. Finished in a rich olive-green patina, the piece has been expertly conserved since acquisition.
The Chalcidian helmet, named for its place of origin, Chalkis on the island of Euboea, was widely worn by Greek hoplites and light infantry across both mainland Greece and Magna Graecia (Greek colonies in southern Italy) during the Classical period. Unlike earlier Corinthian types, Chalcidian helmets offered improved peripheral vision and hearing due to their cutout designs and hinged cheek guards. The ram’s head motif may suggest elite status or cavalry use, as animal symbolism often conveyed strength and divine protection in Greek iconography.
This helmet is one of the finest roman era helmets we have at Treasure Trove. Ground-recovered and fully stabilized, it belongs in top private collection or institutional display. The stand is not included.
Specifications:
Material: Bronze with white stone on the cheek guards
Decorative Elements: A ram is depicted on both the cheek guards with a white stone eye
Origin: Greece (Island of Euboea)
Period: 500 - 300 B.C.
Provenance: This helmet was acquired in 2022 from a reputable private collector and is believed to have been recovered from a major Roman battlefield site in Southeastern Europe. It was a ground-dug discovery and has since been professionally cleaned, stabilized, and conserved
Condition:
Very Good/Fine – Shows light to moderate wear, may have minor imperfections. A very fine example of the collectible. Collector Quality.
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