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Ribchester Helmet

The Ribchester Helmet is a Roman helmet from the late 1st or early 2nd century, discovered in 1796 by the son of a clog maker in Ribchester, north-west England. It is now displayed at the British Museum in London. Made of bronze, it is a parade helmet with a full facial mask. It was probably topped by a sphinx figurine found at the same time, though this was later lost. Its elaborate design suggests it was not meant for battle, but for hippika gymnasia, cavalry tournaments described by Arrian.

Corroded Ribchester Helmet with a sculpted face mask and damaged open crown
The Ribchester Helmet, a Roman cavalry face-mask helmet, shown heavily corroded with a damaged upper section.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Corroded bronze Ribchester Helmet with a full face mask and damaged upper headpiece.
The Ribchester Helmet, a Roman cavalry face-mask helmet, shown with heavy corrosion and surviving decorative details.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ribchester Helmet in profile, showing a decorated face mask, elaborate curls, and a wing-like ornament at the front.
The Ribchester Helmet shown in profile, with a sculpted face mask and richly decorated details across the domed surface.
© · Public domain
Ribchester Helmet with a patinated bronze face mask and damaged upper section on a display stand.
The Ribchester Helmet shown as a fragmented bronze face mask with a damaged upper section on display.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Roman bronze parade helmet from Ribchester shown in profile with a face mask, crest, and engraved battle scenes.
The Ribchester Helmet, a Roman bronze parade helmet decorated with battle scenes and a face mask.
1912 © · No restrictions

Identification

TitleRibchester Helmet
TypeRoman bronze ceremonial helmet with a mask

Historical context

DateLate 1st century to early 2nd century AD
Cultural contextRoman

Creator

UseCeremonial; probably used for display in hippika gymnasia (cavalry tournaments), not combat

Discovery and provenance

Associated objectA bronze sphinx figurine believed to have crowned the helmet
Museum acquisitionSold to the British Museum in 1814
Later ownerPeregrine Edward Towneley, Townley's cousin and heir
Townley documentationDescribed the find in a detailed letter to the secretary of the Society of Antiquaries intended for publication in the Society's Proceedings; his only publication
Townley residenceTowneley Hall
Collector/buyerCharles Townley
Associated object fateLost after Walton gave it to the children of one of his brothers to play with
Associated objects in hoardPaterae, pieces of a vase, a bust of Minerva, fragments of two bowls, several plates, and other items
Largest object in hoardThe helmet was the largest object in the hoard
Original storageThought to have been stored in a wooden box and preserved because it was covered in sand
Discovery conditionFound corroded among the remains of several items, but largely complete
Part ofThe Ribchester Hoard
FindspotRibchester, Lancashire, England; found about three metres below the surface on waste ground beside a road leading to Ribchester church, near a river bed
DiscovererThe son of Joseph Walton, a clog maker
Discovery dateSummer 1796

Location and ownership

Current locationBritish Museum, London
Display statusOn display at the British Museum

Physical characteristics

ConstructionTwo-part; helmet bowl and mask were made separately
CompletenessLargely complete
Mask attachmentMask inserted into the helmet bowl and fixed with leather straps
Height276 mm
FeaturesNeck guard and a large shield over the eyes
Weight1305.6 grams
Helmet bowlRound-shaped

Materials

MaterialBronze
Mask materialUsually bronze or white metal (Britannia metal)

Appearance

Preserved featuresThe supposed sphinx-shaped crest is not preserved
Lost featureProbably originally topped with a sphinx figurine
FormParade helmet with a complete face mask
DesignElaborate
DecorationHair arrangement at the upper edge and figural depictions of riders and infantry in combat on the helmet bowl

Iconography and meaning

Function of associated itemsCharles Townley thought some of the other objects in the hoard had religious uses
Use evidenceAccounts by Arrian of Nicomedia, governor under Emperor Hadrian, indicate these helmets were used for display in cavalry tournaments or hippika gymnasia and worn by high-ranking or specially skilled soldiers

Comparative note

ClassificationOne of the mask helmets
Rarity in BritainOne of only three Roman helmets with a face covering found in Britain
Relative assessmentBefore the discoveries of the Newstead Helmet in 1905 and the Crosby Garrett Helmet in 2010, it was described as the highest-quality helmet found
RecognitionVoted Britain's "second best Roman find" in a Channel 4 Time Team web poll, behind the Vindolanda tablets

Other

Depicted inAn oil painting by Johann Zoffany
Comparison supportThe discovery of the Crosby Garrett Helmet in 2010, with a winged griffin attached, made the hypothesis that the sphinx belonged on the Ribchester Helmet more plausible