Go to content Go to navigation Go to search Change language
Home>Collection & Louvre Palace>Curatorial Departments>Corinthian helmet
Work Corinthian helmet
Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities: Archaic Greek Art (7th-6th centuries BC)
Casque de type corinthien

© 2004 RMN / Hervé Lewandowski
Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
Archaic Greek Art (7th-6th centuries BC)
Extremely widespread in the seventh century BC, the Corinthian helmet provided maximum protection with its nasal and its broad cheek plates. The curved profile of the back part of the Louvre example and the angular side openings mark a stage in the development of this type of helmet. The engraved decoration is lavish: palmettes, female sphinxes, and lions refer to proto-Corinthian ceramics and are inspired by the Greco-oriental repertoire employed during the orientalist period.
A Corinthian helmet
Although nothing is known about where it was found or the circumstances in which it found its way into the Louvre, the shape, decoration, and craftsmanship of this bronze helmet suggest that it is the work of a Corinthian craftsman and can be dated circa 650-625 BC. The Corinthian helmet was widespread in Greece from the seventh century BC onward. Its origin is ascribed to the workshops in Argos, but it is frequently portrayed on Corinthian vases, and substantial quantities seem to have been made at Corinth. The helmet was part of the equipment of
Borrowings from the orientalist repertoire
The decoration is particularly rich. The eyebrows are engraved with small hatchings, rather than indicated in relief as was the case with certain later helmets. The rim is decorated with a line of chevrons prolonged by a palmette to the outer angles of the eyes. The only remaining cheek plate is engraved with a female sphinx, while a pair of lions are depicted on each of the side openings. These motifs are inspired by the Greco-oriental repertoire that spread through a large part of the Mediterranean during the orientalist period, as a result of trade between mainland Greece and the Near East. The artist has combined plant motifs and oriental animal figures, both real and imaginary.
Echoes of proto-Corinthian ceramics
The decoration of the helmet also draws on the vocabulary of proto-Corinthian ceramics. The profile of the sphinx, and the slender, elongated bodies of the lions are similar to the painted silhouettes found on vases of the period. Likewise, the method of engraving used on the helmet is related to the black-figure decorative technique developed in Corinth circa 680-670 BC, which consisted of adding detail to figures appearing in black silhouette by incised lines and the occasional use of colored highlights.
Bibliography
Amandry P., "Casques grecs à décor gravé", Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, 1949, pp. 438-439Technical description
-
Casque de type corinthien
Troisième quart du VIIe siècle avant J.-C.
Production corinthienne (?)
-
Bronze
H.: 20 cm
-
Br 1101
-
Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
Sully wing
1st floor
Bronzes room
Room 663
Vitrine M3 : Armement grec (VIIe - IVe siècles avant J.-C.)
Practical information
In line with the measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Musée du Louvre and Musée National Eugène Delacroix are closed until further notice.
All those who have purchased a ticket for this period will automatically receive a refund—no action is required.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Tuileries and Carrousel gardens remain open.