Chalcidian Helmet (c. 350–200 BCE): Art, History and Details

Chalcidian Helmet (c. 350–200 BCE) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.

The work and its context

The museum's open-access catalogue describes the work:

Among ancient helmets, the Chalcidian type is varied, widespread, and comparatively unrestrictive, with relatively wide openings for the eyes and ears. This example, probably made in the Black Sea region or even further east, features a pointed noseguard, high carinated crown, molded brow ridge, and everted rear flange, plus large separately made hinged cheekpieces. The tinned bronze surface is almost silver in color, with extensive decoration including small incised linked scrolls and much larger embossed linked scrolls.

Object facts

• Title: Chalcidian Helmet
• Date: c. 350–200 BCE
• Culture: Greek (perhaps Black Sea area)
• Type: Arms and Armor
• Technique: Tinned bronze
• Dimensions: height: 31.8 cm (12 1/2 in.)
• Collection: GR - Greek
• Department: Greek and Roman Art
• Accession number: 2023.106

A detail from the museum

Although named for Chalcis, a city in Euboia, Chalcidean helmets were made across the Greek world.

Collection credit

Gift of Barbara S. Robinson and Family

View the collection record

See the museum's photographs and full catalogue entry. Catalogue text is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art's open-access data, with HTML formatting removed. This object and its supplied image are designated CC0.