The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Bronze Corinthian helmet, a helmet completely covering the face save for an eye-hole with narrow edges widening until they meet a nose guard extending down between them and into the rectangular gap between the two cheek pieces. A border with silver rectangular spirals and circular rivets run around the edges of the helmet. On the forehead sits a symbol like flaring flower petals with barely visible incisions of two people fighting with spears above. t

Corinthian Helmet

500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926)

Greece

bronze with silver inlay
Overall: 21.5 cm (8 7/16 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1926.54
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

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.).

Description

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.
  • (Bruno Tartaglia through Howard W. Parsons)
  • Hixenbaugh, Randall. Ancient Greek Helmets: A Complete Guide and Catalog.New York: Hixenbaugh Ancient Art Ltd, 2019. Reproduced: p.408, C524
  • Stories from Storage. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 7-May 16, 2021).
  • {{cite web|title=Corinthian Helmet|url=false|author=|year=500–475 BCE or modern (before 1926)|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1926.54