The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 16, 2026

Corinthian Helmet

c. 625–550 BCE

Greek

Bronze
Overall: 23.5 x 19.5 x 27 cm (9 1/4 x 7 11/16 x 10 5/8 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 2024.63
Location: 102B Greek

Did You Know?

A small hole above the rear neckline, now repaired, may reflect a fatal blow.

Description

This remarkably well-preserved bronze helmet belongs to an iconic type known as Corinthian yet produced far beyond the city of Corinth. Designed for use by hoplite warriors, who fought with spears and shields in shoulder-to-shoulder (phalanx) formation, such helmets provide maximum protection but limited vision, hearing, and movement. Probably first cast and then hammered into its final shape, the helmet features both gentle curves and sharp angles, evoking the head and face that it protected. Similar helmets appear frequently on warriors shown in ancient art, though often with crests of horsehair or other organic materials that no longer survive.
  • By 1934
    Captain E.G. Spencer-Churchill, M.C. [1876–1964] (Sotheby’s, London, 10 April 1934, lot 105)
    1934 – ?
    William Permain (purchased at above sale)
    1967
    Property of a Lady (Christies, London, 6 June 1967, lot 171)
    1967 – ?
    Jean-Claude Ciancimino (purchased at above sale)
    Early 1970s–2000
    Seward Kennedy
    2000
    Sold by Seward Kennedy to Rupert Wace
    2002–2013
    George Lois (purchased from Rupert Wace, then sold back to Rupert Wace)
    2014–2022
    Michael Barrington (purchased from Rupert Wace)
    2022–2024
    Barrington heirs (by descent)
    2024–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Kukahn, Erich. Der Griechische Helm. Marburg-Lahn, 1936. p. 70, no. 58.
    Kunze, Emile. Olympiabericht, Vol. VII. Berlin, 1961. p. 85, footnote no. 29.
    Hixenbaugh, R. and Waldman, A. Ancient Greek Helmets. New York, 2019. p. 376, cat. C269.
    "New on View.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 65, no. 1 (2025): Back cover. Reproduced and Mentioned: Back cover archive.org
  • {{cite web|title=Corinthian Helmet|url=false|author=|year=c. 625–550 BCE|access-date=16 March 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2024.63