17th September 2010, 04:13 PM
Interesting how the papers have said it might fetch between ?300,000 and ?500,000. It is very attractive, but it was found in a lot of pieces and put back together. Christie's website estimates a price of ?200,000 -?300,000. I also note that Christie's sold another parade helmet in New York in 2005. It is not quite as good looking as this one but appears to be complete and in its original 2 parts. It sold for $102,000. A lot of money but it was only 5 years ago, can this one really be worth so much more?
As for the griffin, I haven't found a picture of a helmet with one of these but most of the 'Phrygian cap' style helmets appear to be a bit broken at the top and so you cannot tell what may or may not have been there.
As usual see this website for lots of brilliant Roman military stuff that makes me jealous.
http://www.romancoins.info/MilitaryEquip...masks.html
As for the griffin, I haven't found a picture of a helmet with one of these but most of the 'Phrygian cap' style helmets appear to be a bit broken at the top and so you cannot tell what may or may not have been there.
As usual see this website for lots of brilliant Roman military stuff that makes me jealous.
http://www.romancoins.info/MilitaryEquip...masks.html