Archaic period Greek helmet with ram's head, 525-500 BCE at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Saint Louis, Missouri

Archaic period Greek helmet with ram's head, 525-500 BCE at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Saint Louis, Missouri.
This bronze Archaic Period helmet with a ram's head was excavated in Metaponto (ancient Metapontum) in the southern region of Italy known as Magna Graecia. The size of its decorative element indicates it was probably worn for ceremonial purposes rather than in actual combat. It was made by hammering a single sheet of bronze, which makes it extremely light and unsuitable as actual armor. Additional decoration was added using a series of common metalworking techniques such as repoussée, punching, tracing, and engraving. The ram’s head on top, whose horns, ears, and eyes have been restored, is mirrored by the attached ram’s head cheek pieces. The selection of the ram to adorn a military-style helmet is fitting since the animals have a double-layered skull which helps protect them from injury.


Image courtesy of the museum.

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