Protective Equipment:
Roman Helmets
Helmets with Face Masks
Below are examples of Face Mask Helmets, thought to have been worn in battle and during parades by cavalry.
Bronze mask type Kalkriese.
Definition
is a mask without ears and low hanging hinge on forehead. Probably worn
in combination with a Weisenau type of helmet with two cheek pieces.
This pieces displays unique features (geometric decorations on
cheeks
and edge), Ex Axel Guttmann Collection (now German private collection)
and a second mask helmet of the Kalkriese type.
Brass sheet on
iron core in combination with remains of a Weiler Type bowl with
figural
decorations. Ex Axel Guttmann collection, present location unknown
Face mask of type Kalkriese with two preserved cheekpieces. Both mask and cheekpieces executed in iron (base plate) and brass (cover sheet). This combination clearly was part of a cavalry type helmet (Weiler or Weisenau). This is supported by the shape and profile of the cheekpieces which feature an ear-protection. The best comparison is a complete brass Weisenau helmet with a similar type of mask and cheekpieces in the Shelby White collection in NY.
Dated: Augustan-Neronian
Private collection. Formerly 2006-2007 on display at Museum
Carnuntinum
( Austria, Bad Deutsch-Altenburg)
Published: Exhibition catalogue "Legionsadler und Druidenstab, F.
Humer,
2006," ISBN 3854602294"
Face Mask Type Kalkriese, displayed at
Leiden, NL (combined with
wrong helmet/bowl)
Face mask of the type Nimegen Kops-Plateau. Massive iron base plate with brass cover sheet. Partially retaining its silvered (tinned) surface. Belongs to a Weiler type cavalry helmet. Please compare to examples found in the Netherlands (Nijmegen) and France.
Dated: Augustan-Flavian
Private collection. Formerly 2006-2007 on display at Museum
Carnuntinum
( Austria, Bad Deutsch-Altenburg)
Published: Exhibition catalogue "Legionsadler und Druidenstab, F.
Humer,
2006," ISBN 3854602294"
Mask Type Nijmegen-Kops Plateau, brass
sheet on iron core, exhibited
at Leiden, NL
Another example of a Mask Type Nijmegen-Kops Plateau
from the
Axel Guttmann Collection
Images Herrmann Historica
Auction 154, 2008
Mask Type Nijmegen-Kops Plateau from
Nijmegen, with Weiler type
bowl
Type Nijmegen-Kops Plateau Face Mask,
Nijmegen Museum, NL,
Mask type Nijmegen-Kops Plateau, mid 1st
century, ex Gorny &
Mosch auction, brass sheet on iron core
Face Mask of the Ribchester / Newstead Type,
late 1st century, British Museum
to the left a copy of the Nijmegen helmet type Nijmegen-Kops
Plateau,
to the right a copy of a Newstead type Face mask (from Edinburg), both
RGZM Mainz
The Ribchester "Sports"helmet, British
Museum (copy to
the upper left is from the RGZM Mainz)
battle
scene decoration on bowl
Mask Type Ribchester, Leiden Museum, NL
Iron face mask type Ribchester, from the
Axel Guttmann Collection,
ex-Christies Auction, New York, 8 Dec 2005, current location unknown
3 Type Newstead helmets from the Scottish
National Museum at
Edinburgh, found at Newstead
Type Pfrondorf facemasked helmet, Cavalry
Sports type F, late 2nd-early 3rd century, (Aalen
Limes Museum)
Alexander and Female Type Masks,
here
copies from RGZM Mainz
Female Mask Type Straubing,
corresponds
to Robinson Cavalry Sports E, Eining, 3rd century, now Munich
Archeological
Museum
Female Mask Helmet, from Christie's Auction
2005, dated second
half of second century to first half of third century AD
Alexander and Female mask helmets, late 2nd
- 3rd century, Straubing
from
Alexander type mask, from
Strass-Moos, Munich Archeological
Museum
Saalburg Museum, near Frankfurt, Germany
Heddernheim type Helmet, Frankfurt
Archeological Museum, found
at Heddernheim
ex Axel Guttmann collection
Images from
Herrmann Historika Auction
Example of a Late Roman - Germanic Face mask helmet
(Sutton Hoo Ship burial, ca 600 AD). The helmet is based on a Spangen
Helmet,
London British Museum
Related Sections of the Roman Numismatic Gallery:
The Location
of Roman Legions
from Caesar to ca. 300 AD is summarized in a table.
Military Equipment
Military Diploma
Roman Legionary Bricks
Countermarks of roman legions on coins are shown in the Legionary
Countermark section.
Coins making reference to roman legions are to be found in the Legionary
Coin section.
Wars and Victories on Roman
coins.
Roman Military Main Page