Helmet with divine figures beneath a bird with outstretched wings

Helmet with divine figures beneath a bird with outstretched wings

Unknown artist

Details

Dimensions
6 1/2 × 8 5/16 × 8 11/16 in. (16.5 × 21.1 × 22.1 cm)
Origin
Elamite
Holding institution
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
License
CC0-1.0
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1963

Art Genome Taxonomy

11 tags

Subject Matter

  • Deities and Holy Figures Metadata · 98%

    The catalog title identifies divine figures, and the catalog subjects include Deities.

  • Animals Both · 99%

    A bird with outstretched wings is clearly visible at the crown, and Birds is included among the catalog subjects.

  • Human Figure Both · 96%

    Several modeled human figures are visible on the front of the helmet, corresponding to the catalog subjects Men and Women.

Visual Qualities

  • Highly Ornamented Visual · 98%

    The helmet is extensively embellished with foil figures, feather- and scale-like surface details, linear ornament, and circular studs.

  • Symmetrical Visual · 90%

    The frontal arrangement is organized around a central axis, with flanking figures and wings creating broad bilateral balance despite damage and losses.

  • Patinated and Oxidized Visual · 97%

    The bronze body visibly has a dark green, mottled patina with corrosion, wear, and areas of surface loss.

Medium and Techniques

  • Relief Visual · 98%

    The bird and three frontal figures project visibly from the helmet surface as raised decoration.

Time Periods

  • Ancient Art Metadata · 99%

    The catalog dates the helmet to ca. 1500–1100 BCE.

Materials

  • Bronze Metadata · 99%

    Bronze is explicitly listed in the catalog medium.

  • Gold Metadata · 99%

    The catalog specifies gold foil over bitumen, and the image shows extensive bright gold-colored foil decoration.

Antiquities, Artifacts, and Religious Objects

  • Arms and Armor Metadata · 99%

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art classifies the object as a helmet; the domed protective form is also clearly visible in the image.

Source & rights

Unknown artist. Helmet with divine figures beneath a bird with outstretched wings. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.