Hello Everyone,
Does anyone have high resolution photos of the Autun helmet? I would like a back and front view if possible. I am doing a presentation about helmets and would like to have nice photos. Of course, I know its from a statue and many believe it would not have been really used. However, this is part of my talk......real helmets vs artistic helmets that could or not be used in actuality.
Thanks in advance.
Hello Doc!
These are not high quality pictures unfortunately, but is all I have found in my "database" ... hope that can help.
Best!
S.M.
Thank you for the photos, I appreciate it.
Do you happen to have any information as to the materials and the date of the helmet?
From the photos it looks like a iron for the skull and face decorated by the copper alloy leaves. On part looks gilt to me.
Is this helmet still in the Autun museum?
Thanks again
Thank you for the pictures. These and those provided by Ligus are very good.
Do any of you have photos of the back of the helmet showing the neck guard. I have the Robinson description and he mentions something about three rows of acanthus leaves.
As far as I am aware, the helmet is still at Autun. Descriptions seem to suggest that the helmet has an iron skull (as you say) and that the acanthus leaf decorations were gilded. Another source mentions that the whole of the helmet was gilded.
Although this might seem a rather odd suggestion, look up the "Alexandros" web site for model soldiers. One of their more recent figures (Alexandros Models, SPQR42) has as its subject the future emperor Vespasian when he was legatus legionis of legio II Augusta. He is depicted wearing the Autun helmet, although of course there is absolutely no evidence that Vespasian wore such a bauble. The sculptor (Adriano Laruccia) is usually pretty good on the details, however.
Mike Thomas
PS: Did you ever get that Roman glue recipe sorted out? :-)
Hello Mike,
Thanks for the reply. In Robinson it seems he suggests the entire helmet is bronze and totally gilt. The photos that Christian posted does not appear to show an iron bowl. However, I am not sure what material it is
PM sent.
I've often wondered at this helmet's articulated neckguard. Are there any other examples of such neckguards from the classical era? And why would a statue need an articulated neckguard?
Although to us, such a neck guard presents us with an eyesore, perhaps it was good at keeping the sun off of ones neck (haha). Seriously though, what a strange looking piece...I wonder if it would even balance on one's head at all.