Corinthian Type Bronze Helmet
For Study & Research purposes!!
This beautiful example of Corinthian type helmet likely produced in Greece and traded with wealth Italians, primarily the Nobile Etruscan’s. Wealthy member who would have had the mean to acquire this specialist equipment would formed small units making them a formidable force, using what was considered the most advance warfare technique the Phalanx and equipment of the period. This helmet came originally from a Private Northern Italian collection and was found in the southern region of Italy.
Before we discuss the characteristics / constructions of this helmet it is important to understand the techniques of production as many examples exist and no two are identical. There doesn’t seem to be a immediate resource of information on the object apart from select books and studies made.
I would like to bridge the gap for any collectors or individuals interested in learning, this is not a through out guide but a simple observation of the overall process and the military function and application of such helmets.
Military activities in this region of Europe during the period from the 5th century BC to the 1st century AD meant that many bronze smiths where producing Armour and arms to supplement this demand.
Techniques used to manufacture these helmets can be determined by the tools used by the armourers as these tools along with the helmets are the only surviving blueprints to understanding their types of use and production.
Particular importance must be made to the medium in which these objects were crafted and the properties of bronze. In order to create bronze a mixture of mainly copper which is ductile would have been alloyed with tin. The ratios of the mixed material would have varied and we find in certain examples having higher ratios of tin and others with smaller quantities.
The introduction of tin into the mixture affects the mechanical properties and the result is that the alloy hardened and this also effected the toughness and durability of the metal. The ratios of the mixture would have ranges which shouldn’t be exceed as this could make the alloy brittle for working.
Lead is also a common constituent of bronze, lead increases the ductile qualities and would have been a key component to casting bronze.
The workshops would have included a charcoal burning hearth, which was essential. This would have been raised on a platform and would have had a bellows attached and operated by an assistant. The fire itself would have been covered with some form of a hood, while the assistant worked the bellows from the rear the anvil would have been placed in front to allow easy access to work the metal by the smith.
It is unclear if the armourers smelted their own ores to cast ingots of bronze or purchased them, irrespective these would have undergone a process to being shaped and hammered into sheets and billets for forging.
Thick sheets of bronze would be heated and would have been annealed to remove stresses and toughen the material. Contrary to armour made from iron, bronze could be cold worked and is an easier material requiring less labor and work to shape. A process of using a mold to shape the bronze sheets to form a bowl was done and concentric hammer work would have ensured an even thickness and symmetrical shape. Once the armourer had the basic form he would move on to finishing the helmet depending on it role, function and the end users head type and size.
Size, thicknesses and weights did vary greatly as the bowls, sides, rims and the fronts of surviving helmets shows us. There is also the factor of quality as you can imagine there would have been smiths who produced pieces of high, medium and low quality. These variations in thickness and weight would have been dictated by the size of the head as some helmets are larger and some appear small to wear. The ability of the user to support the helmet over periods of time would have been considered as a heavier helmet would differ greatly than a lighter helmet, therefore this would need to be considered and would have limited the weights of the helmets to certain ranges.
While it is important to understand the process to create these pieces we must also look at each individual piece and its intended role and function. The primary function of the helmets is to protect the user and prevent injury from a sharp and fast object. Hardness testing has shown that many bronze helmets were relatively soft and wouldn’t crack but rather distort. This may indicate that there focus was not on strength but to toughen the bronze. The application would dictate the design as of the helmet, whether it was built to deflect slashing blows or absorb shock from a downwards blow. Therefore the bowl of the helmet must be sufficiently large to absorb the shock of impact by deforming. The padding or liner would have also been an important component and in some instance would have had more padding inserted depending once again on the intended use and role of the helmet.
The weight spectrum is very vast and it would be wrong to assume that a light helmet is due to inferior quality or is it related to function. Weights can vary on a variety of different bronze helmets from 500 grams to 1800 grams, of course there are some exceptions to this range as some surviving bronze helmets can even be within the 2200 grams – 2500 grams.
The lightness of helmets seems to have less to do with quality of manufacture and must related to the function of the helmet. If the helmet was designed to deflect rather than to absorb the force of a blow. Therefore the helmets would need to be hardened so that they remain springy and would not require a great deal of thickness.
Description:
This helmet is the earlier design of the archaic period and is one of the earlier examples from the evolution of the Greek helmets. Its design made it a favourite amount the elite troops and foreign Nobles who could equipment themselves with the best gear money could buy. The design was used for centuries however with and many variations exist.
The design was so popular that the medieval Barbute helmets are based on this iconic bronze helmet.
The helmet is made from a single sheet of bronze. The helmet has a oval domed skull and thick nasal guard with large oval shaped eye holes which would have given good visibility.
The helmet shows obvious signs that it was used in battle as is apparent by the multiple areas which have sustained damage from impact and certain areas that have been pushed in deforming its original form. There is a particular section on the back upper section which could indicate it may have received a blow for a shaft of a spear. The helmet has beautiful age and pattern and have a studded deigns around the frame /edges of the helmet.
Specifications:
Height 24 CM
Weight 780 grams
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