Detail View: The AMICA Library: Two helmets

AMICA ID: 
MMA_.1989.281.49-.50
AMICA Library Year: 
2000
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality: 
European; Southern European; Greek
Creator Name-CRT: 
Greek, Cretan
Title: 
Two helmets
Title Type: 
Object name
View: 
Full View, 1989.281.49
Creation Date: 
late 7th century B.C.
Creation Start Date: 
-633
Creation End Date: 
-600
Materials and Techniques: 
Bronze
Classification Term: 
Bronzes
Style or Period: 
Cretan
Dimensions: 
H. of helmet with horses and lions 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm); H. of helmet with winged youths 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
AMICA Contributor: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 
1989.281.49-.50
Credit Line: 
Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989
Rights: 
Context: 

These helmets, along with three mitrai (belly guards) also in the Museum's collection, 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, son of Euklotas, took this object.

Related Image Identifier Link: 
MMA_.gr1989.281.49.R.tif