Two bronze helmets

Unknown

late 7th century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

These helmets and the three mitrai exhibited below them are the finest pieces of a large cache of armor that came to light in southern central Crete, where it was undoubtedly made. The inscriptions suggest that the armor was captured as booty and offered as a dedication. In repoussé on both sides of one helmet is a pair of winged youths grasping a pair of intertwined snakes. Below them are two panthers with a common head. The helmet is inscribed "Neopolis." In repoussé on both sides of the other helmet is a horse; incised on each cheekpiece is a lion. The inscription states that Synenitos, the son of Euklotas, took this object.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 7th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek, Cretan

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989