Cavalry helmet

Object/Artifact

Trimontium Museum

Name/Title

Cavalry helmet

Entry/Object ID

L.2021.9

Description

Cavalry helmet of the Bassus/Weiler type with two decorated cheekpieces

Use

Protection for the head in times of combat. Could also have been worn during parades, and to denote military rank.

Context

The carved and ornate military helmet may have been used in parades, or on important military figures.

Collection

HvG

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Holger von Grawert

Notes

Loan

Made/Created

Time Period

1st century AD

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano Germanic

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Helmet, Military

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Helmet

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Headwear

Nomenclature Class

Clothing

Nomenclature Category

Category 03: Personal Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

helmets (protective wear)

Materials

Material

Iron, Copper alloy

Material Notes

Iron bowl with decorated copper alloy applications

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Web Links and URLs

James Curle's notes on helmets found at Trimontium

Provenance

Notes

From the Lower Rhine area. Acquired in Rosenheim (Germany)from a local collection in 2003. Extensively analysed and conserved following previous attempts to stabilise the helmet using plaster/gypsum. Recorded and published multiple times. Previously exhibited at Mougins (F) and Tullie House Museum (Carlisle).

Exhibition

Permanent Exhibition

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Caption

Label

The helmet protected the cavalryman well, with its neck guard and cheek-pieces. It was highly decorated to add to the rider’s dramatic effect. The cap is shaped to resemble hair. The browguard and cheek-pieces are covered with scenes and figures from Roman myths, perhaps to ask for the protection of the gods. The face mask has articulated ears.