Auction Name: 2025 December 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 40001

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6325*40001

Greek Illyrian-Type Bronze Helmet, ca. 500-450 B.C.

A complete and remarkably well-preserved Greek Illyrian-type bronze helmet, originating from an English private collection according to COA. Reportedly excavated in Thessaly, Northern Greece, over 150 years ago, this piece exemplifies the martial artistry of the Classical Greek world. Its form and workmanship reflect the transitional phase between the early and later Illyrian styles, prized among collectors and scholars alike for their balanced proportions and elegant simplicity. Dimensions: Height 9 1/2-inches; Length 9-inches; Width 9-inches. A metal display stand is included with the sale.

The helmet displays long, protective cheek pieces, a short, curved rear flange, and a high domed crown adorned with two pronounced longitudinal ridges, hallmarks of the finest early Greek bronze craftsmanship. Subtle parallel incised lines follow the curve of the dome, providing both visual refinement and structural definition. Most striking, however, is its exceptional green-blue patina, a testament to both the passage of time and the stable burial conditions from which it was recovered. Indeed, the superb quality of this patination elevates the piece to one of the finest examples of its type. Helmet comes with COA from BidAncient.com, expressing in detail the history of the helmet and its authenticity. Signed and dated by its Director, Eftis Paraskevaides, BSc MBChB.

Condition: Very good overall as presented. The helmet shows compelling evidence of ancient use, notably a powerful impact to the rear right side that bent the form slightly downward and produced significant cracking-damage that was competently repaired in antiquity with solder by a skilled metalsmith. These early repairs, along with several linear tears later stabilized through professional modern conservation, reflect both the helmet's long service history and the care it has received through the centuries. There is no loss of original material, and the piece remains structurally sound and visually exquisite, displaying both archaeological integrity and aesthetic beauty. Provenance: English Private Collection; said to have been excavated in Thessaly, Greece, over a century and a half ago.

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