Helmet (Spangenhelm)
Details
- Palette
-
Select a color to find related artworks.
- Medium
- Iron, copper alloy, gold
- Dimensions
- H. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); W. 8 in. (20.3 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 10 oz. (2102 g)
- Origin
- Byzantine
- Department
- Arms and Armor
- Holding institution
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Image provider
- metropolitan-museum-of-art
- License
- CC0-1.0
- Credit
- Gift of Laird Landmann and Kathleen Kinney Landmann, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2023
Art Genome Taxonomy
8 tags
Visual Qualities
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Patinated and Oxidized Visual · 96%
The helmet displays extensive dark brown oxidation-like discoloration, green deposits, abrasion, surface losses, and uneven aging across its metal components.
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Highly Ornamented Visual · 93%
The surface is densely embellished with repeated bands, rivets, patterned borders, and figural or ornamental motifs across the helmet panels.
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Geometric Visual · 86%
The domed shell is organized into regular panel divisions and vertical reinforcing bands, producing a clearly geometric construction.
Time Periods
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500 - 1000 CE Art Metadata · 98%
The catalog dates the helmet to the 6th century, which falls within the cataloged 500–1000 CE period.
Materials
Cultural and Religious Styles
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Byzantine Art Metadata · 84%
The catalog identifies the place of origin as Byzantine; this tag records the cataloged cultural attribution rather than an independent stylistic determination.
Antiquities, Artifacts, and Religious Objects
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Arms and Armor Both · 99%
The Metropolitan Museum of Art classifies the object as a Helmet (Spangenhelm) in the Arms and Armor department, and the image clearly shows a helmet intended as protective equipment.
Source & rights
Unknown artist. Helmet (Spangenhelm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.