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Merovingian Helmet from Vézeronce, 7th Century
Musée Dauphinois, Grenoble, France.
Domaine : Armement
Dénomination : Casque
Epoque : mérovingien
Description : Casque d'apparat du type de Baldenheim en bronze doré. De forme ogivale, constitué d'éléments assemblés avec des rivets à tête ronde. Pourvu de paragnathides et d'un couvre-nuque. Ligne de perforations à la base du bandeau inférieur pour la fixation d'une coiffe de cuir. Sommet bombé auquel manque le tube sommital qui maintient le cimier. Sur la rondelle (servant de clé de voûte), décor d'une étoile à cinq branches. Sur les parties libres, décor d'écailles. Ornement de la croix de St André et d'écailles sur les six arceaux. Vers les bases, frises d'arceaux et de triangles. Le bandeau inférieur est décoré par estampage, avant le doublage de fer, par une longue tige florale ondulée, longitudinale dans la partie centrale de la bande (quelques grappes de raisin s'y raccrochent). Des croix potencées, des oiseaux aux ailes repliées occupent le reste du champ. L'ensemble est doré.
Matériaux : Bronze ; Cuir ; Fer
Techniques : Riveté(e) ; Ciselé(e)
Dimensions : hauteur : 20 cm
Historique : Provient d'un tombe princière liée à la bataille qui oppose Burgondes et Francs, en 524 après J.-C. Découvert en extrayant de la tourbe dans des marais au nord-est de Vézeronce, en 1871.
Numéro d'inventaire : D67.3.257 (T2003)
Établissement affectataire : Musée dauphinois
Source : collections.isère
Field: Armament
Denomination : Helmet
Period: Merovingian
Description: Ceremonial helmet of the Baldenheim type in gilded bronze. Of ogival shape, made up of elements assembled with rivets with round head. Provided with cheekpieces and an aventail. Line of perforations at the base of the lower band for attaching a leather cap. Domed top which lacks the top tube which maintains the crest. On the roundal (serving as a key to the vault), decorated with a five-pointed star. On the free parts, decoration of scales. Ornament of the cross of St Andrew and scales on the six arches. Towards the bases, friezes of arches and triangles. The lower band is decorated by stamping, in front of the iron lining, by a long wavy floral stalk, longitudinal in the central part of the band (a few bunches of grapes cling to it). Crosses potent, birds with folded wings occupy the rest of the field. The ensemble is gilded.
Materials: Bronze; Leather; Iron
Techniques: Riveted; Chiseled
Dimensions: height: 20 cm
History: Comes from a princely tomb linked to the battle between Burgundians and Franks, in 524 AD. Discovered while extracting peat in marshes northeast of Vézeronce, in 1871.
Inventory number: D67.3.257 (T2003)
Holding institution: Musée dauphinois
Image source: Meisterdrucke
MEROVINGIAN HELMET
Musée Dauphinois, Grenoble, France/Lauros/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library
Despite their obvious expense, most barbarian soldiers wore helmets, many differing in construction from those worn by Romans. This marvelous Merovingian helmet is thought to be from the seventh century and is currently in the Musée Dauphinois in Grenoble, France. It is a spangenhelm, consisting of an iron cap made of a decorated, gilded metal band encircling the head attached by rivets to six metal bands flayed at the bottom and rising to a circular metal piece at its peak. Covering the spaces between these bands are iron plates that are also attached by rivets. Two hinged metal pieces descend from the lower band to protect the cheeks; there are holes in these and in the back of the helmet for attaching mail protection for the neck and lower face. The decoration indicates that this was likely the helmet of an elite or noble soldier.
Source: p.227, Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact eds. Kelly DeVries & Robert D. Smith (2007)
