Face mask

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Name/Title

Face mask

Entry/Object ID

L.2021.10

Description

Face mask of the “Nijmegen Kops-Plateau” type

Use

To protect the user's face from trauma during war and conflict

Context

The face mask as apart of the helmet was far less common than the open face style. The mask would have poor viability and was better suited to the cavalry, who did not need to move their bodies as freely as what the infantry would. Found in Germany

Collection

HvG

Category

Military Equipment & Weaponry

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Holger von Grawert

Notes

Loan

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

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

face masks

Materials

Material

Bronze, Iron

Material Notes

Bronze sheet cover on iron base

Color

Brown, Green

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Web Links and URLs

James Curle's notes on Roman face masks

Provenance

Notes

From the Lower Rhine region – acquired from a private collection (MP) in Immendorf near Cologne in 1990.

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.