Corinthian Helmet (500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926)): Art, History and Details

Corinthian Helmet (500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926)) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.

The work and its context

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

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.

Object facts

• Title: Corinthian Helmet
• Date: 500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926)
• Culture: Greece
• Type: Arms and Armor
• Technique: bronze with silver inlay
• Dimensions: Overall: 21.5 cm (8 7/16 in.)
• Collection: GR - Greek
• Department: Greek and Roman Art
• Accession number: 1926.54

A detail from the museum

This helmet is very heavy—2.56 kilograms (5 lbs., 10 oz.), compared to average ancient helmets of 1.2–1.6 kilograms (about 3 lbs.).

Collection credit

Gift of J. H. Wade

Further reading listed by the museum

• The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Fakes and Forgeries, edited by Susan Brown. Minneapolis, MN: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 1973.
• Hixenbaugh, Randall. Ancient Greek Helmets: A Complete Guide and Catalog.New York: Hixenbaugh Ancient Art Ltd, 2019.

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.