Search the Collections

About the Collection

The RD Milns Antiquities Museum provides access to its online collection database for students, teachers, researchers and the public. Ranging in date from over 4000 BC to AD 600 and covering a geographical area from modern Iran to Wales, and Germany to Egypt, the RD Milns Antiquities Museum holds the largest publically available collection of ancient Mediterranean antiquities in Queensland.

Image requests and general enquiries

Requests for access to images, information or objects held in the RD Milns Antiquities Museum should be completed through the online Collection Material Request Form. Further enquiries regarding the RD Milns Antiquities Museum collection should be directed to the Collections Manager.

Sponsors

The RD Milns Antiquities Museum database and website project was supported by strategic funds from the School of History and Philosophy, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, and the University of Queensland.


Copyright

No image or information displayed on this site may be reproduced, transmitted or copied other than for the purpose of fair dealing (e.g. for research and study) as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, without the permission of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.

Note

The RD Milns Antiquities Museum makes every effort to provide up to date, accurate and complete information regarding its collection, however, researchers are encouraged to contact the Museum regarding individual items, as necessary. Additional information concerning objects is gratefully received.


to









No image or information displayed on this site may be reproduced, transmitted or copied other than for the purpose of fair dealing (e.g. for research and study) as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, without the permission of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.

Save, email and share your favourite resources

As you search RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Collection you can add individual items to this page by clicking the 'Add to My Collection' button. Once you have finished your search you can then email, print, or share your results with social media by using the tools at the bottom of the page.

Helmet with Two Boars 300 - 200 BC

HELMET
BRONZESMITHING, HAMMERING, RIVETING, ENGRAVING
BRONZE
Standard 165 x 194 x 230 Millimetres
77.001
Description: A South Italian Greek helmet, derived from the Corinthian type of Greek helmet. It is dome-shaped with small, almond-shaped eye holes surmounted by long, curving "eyebrows" in relief. These join in the centre to form a ridge that finishes between the eye holes. The eyebrow ridge is echoed by a molding of similar shape near the top of the front of the helmet. This molding and the ends of the "eyebrows" join at the sides and a ridge continues around the back of the helmet. There was once an everted flange at the bottom of the helmet, at the back, but this has largely disappeared except at the outer edges. On each side, near the commencement of the flange, is a hole used for the attachment of a lining (this hole is filled in on the left hand side of the helmet). A two-pronged plume holder is riveted to the top of the helmet. It leans slightly backwards and the left hand prong is slightly shorter than the one on the right. The eye holes are purely decorative devices and were situated near the top of the head when it was being worn. The front and sides of the helmet, below the eye holes, are decorated with a pair of engraved boars. The design of the helmet was derived from the appearance of the Corinthian helmet when it was pushed back from the face. The helmet is in very good condition with some green discolouration and pitting of the surface. Function: Used to protect the head, this was part of the armour of a Greek hoplite in Southern Italy. When decorated with plumes, it must also have helped to intimidate the enemy. Decoration: A) The outer edge of the left hand eye hole is outlined by an engraved line that ends in small curls; beyond this is another engraved pattern in the shape of a large tear drop. Engraved eyelashes surround the eye hole. B) The right hand eye has similar patterns, but they are less distinct. C) Above the eyes are relief "eyebrows" that join in the centre and continue down between the eyes for a short distance. D) There is a ridge above the eyebrows that is a similar shape. It joins with the eyebrows at their outer edges and the moulding continues around the back of the helmet. E) On each side of the front of the helmet, below the eye holes, there is an engraved outline of a boar. The boars are shown in profile, facing towards the centre. Each is shown with one ear, a tusk and a hairy neck and back. F) Along the bottom edge of the helmet, at the front and sides, is an engraved zig-zag line
Purchased from Sotheby Parke Bernet & Co, London, with funds from the Alumni Association, 1977


No image or information displayed on this site may be reproduced, transmitted or copied other than for the purpose of fair dealing (e.g. for research and study) as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, without the permission of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.