cavalry helmet

Roman gilding metal cavalry parade or sports helmet, early 3rd century AD; probably made in the Danube valley. Made from a single sheet of metal, elaborately decorated in repouse work with a feathered eagle's head on the crest, foliate-tailed beasts on either side and a plain triangular front panel with feather borders on either side at the top, with the lower ends terminating in birds' heads. There are flanges over the ears and neck, with 'XII' scratched onto the neck flange. A small square plate with a broken lower edge is rivetted inside the front peak, suggesting that the helmet once had a nose-guard.