Collection record · Objects & craft
Corinthian Helmet
The collection record classifies this work as arms and armor. It is dated 500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926). Recorded culture or place: Greece.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Corinthian Helmet
- Date
- 500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926)
- Culture / origin
- Greece
- Materials and technique
- bronze with silver inlay
- Dimensions
- Overall: 21.5 cm (8 7/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1926.54
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Probably cast and then hammered into shape, this bronze helmet belongs to a type known as Corinthian, with almond-shaped eye holes, large cheekpieces, and a wide nose guard. Its significant weight raised early suspicions about authenticity, and although a 1928 technical examination found no conclusive evidence of forgery, scholars have continued to doubt its antiquity. Unusual details include the intact rivets, or metal fasteners, meant to secure liners; usually only their holes survive. The dueling warriors and inlaid palmette above the brow also find few parallels, and the silver meander pattern is unique. Most recently, a 2024 analysis found that both the copper and silver alloys of the helmet differ significantly from those expected in an ancient Greek helmet.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Gift of J. H. Wade · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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