Corinthian Helmet

Cleveland Museum of Art

Corinthian Helmet

Date
c. 625–550 BCE
Medium
Bronze
Culture
Greek
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art
Object ID
680766

From the Cleveland Museum of Art record

This remarkably well-preserved bronze helmet belongs to an iconic type known as Corinthian yet produced far beyond the city of Corinth. Designed for use by hoplite warriors, who fought with spears and shields in shoulder-to-shoulder (phalanx) formation, such helmets provide maximum protection but limited vision, hearing, and movement. Probably first cast and then hammered into its final shape, the helmet features both gentle curves and sharp angles, evoking the head and face that it protected. Similar helmets appear frequently on warriors shown in ancient art, though often with crests of horsehair or other organic materials that no longer survive. A small hole above the rear neckline, now repaired, may reflect a fatal blow.

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Provenance & credit

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Credit line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Provenance
By 1934: Captain E.G. Spencer-Churchill, M.C. [1876–1964] (Sotheby’s, London, 10 April 1934, lot 105) | 1934 – ?: William Permain (purchased at above sale) | 1967: Property of a Lady (Christies, London, 6 June 1967, lot 171) | 1967 – ?: Jean-Claude Ciancimino (purchased at above sale) | Early 1970s–2000: Seward Kennedy | 2000: Sold by Seward Kennedy to Rupert Wace | 2002–2013: George Lois (purchased from Rupert Wace, then sold back to Rupert Wace) | 2014–2022: Michael Barrington (purchased from Rupert Wace) | 2022–2024: Barrington heirs (by descent) | 2024–: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Part of a LinkedCulture topic

  • Representative object from the topic European Renaissance Armor Components
    European Renaissance Armor Components

    These objects are all pieces of defensive armor and military equipment from 15th-17th century Europe, primarily from major armoring centers like Italy, Germany, and France.

    500 objects from 4 institutions

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