Roman helmet on auction Genuine or Fake?

[jho]

A friend sent me this photo of a Roman helmet which apparently is/was on auction in Switzerland for 28k Euros:


To me it has striking similarities to a certain well-known (Far) Eastern Roman helmet type. What do other RATers think?

[Decebalus]

It is said to be of iron, so the fittings must be bronze. In this case the patina looks suspicious even on the two different metals.
I would tend to think it's a fake.

At least it found its way into the DAI Database:

arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/222172

Greets

[caiusbeerquitius]

I agree. Do you happen to have a larger pic(s)?

[Nathan Ross]

To me it has striking similarities to a certain well-known (Far) Eastern Roman helmet type.

:-D Yes - look at that bulbous rounded neckguard! It's a little more shapely than the factory standard Cassis Trooperius, but I think anyone paying 20k for this might want to hang onto thier receipt...

[jho]

Thank you for your opinions. I note that the auctioneer has taken down the helmet for "further review"

[Peroni]

Go compare.... :wink:

compared to a modern Indian helmet - you can see that all the rivets are in the same place, the shape is the same, the eyebrows are the same pattern and the brass browband is of the same single fluted construction.. Definately a FAKE!

[caiusbeerquitius]

Yup, I was having that one in mind, too :-) Especially the cheek pieces & brows are highly suspicious... ;-)

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

WOW!!!!!So the infamous Trooper helm is based on a genuine artifact after all!!
Guess all the ney-sayers will be eating humble pie today!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

:roll:

[markusaurelius]

WOW!!!!!So the infamous Trooper helm is based on a genuine artifact after all!!
Guess all the ney-sayers will be eating humble pie today!!

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Gaius Colletti]

I don't get why these frauds don't at least use a Deepeeka or DSC helmet, that way it doesn't at least scream "FAKE" at a glance

[jkaler48]

Wait a few years: The better helmets are ageing underground right now!
I can also imagine that in a few hundred or thousand years some of trooper helmets thrown in ponds and rivers as offerings (about all they are good for) will turn up and provide some interesting discussions.

[Gunthamund Hasding]

well you buy a "trooper" for a dime and age it a little than BANG you get 1000x more
nice try

[Sempronius]

The faker got greedy by including the cheek guards.

[Epictetus]

Wait a few years: The better helmets are ageing underground right now!

Is that how they do it? I was wondering how they got it to rust like that. Are there chemicals or something that can speed up the decay? I assume it must be a long process if they have to bury it and wait.

[agrimensor]

@David, pation is good thing, if you wait long enough you will be rewarded in the afterlife. :roll: :wink: