3rd-7th century AD. A substantial iron-framed cavalry helmet formed as a hemispherical bowl with band to the rim, silver and bronze bosses; apical silver dome and five smaller domes to the upper area with bronze bosses extending in five vertical lines and around the rim; the interior showing spangenhelm construction of a brow band and four tapering bands forming the frame and four triangular plates attached to fill the voids. See Grancsay, S.V. A Sasanian Chieftain's Helmet in The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin New Series, vol. 21, no.8 (April, 1963) for discussion; also Ahmad, S.N. A new Sasanian helmet in the Musee d’Art Classique de Mougins, in Historia i ?wiat, 2015. 1.3 kg, 18 x 21cm (7 x 9"). From the collection of a North London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. The helmet's interior shows it has been constructed from bands and panels attached to an encircling browband, the most frequently encountered method for producing iron and bronze helmets in antiquity which persisted in eastern Europe and Western Asia until the early modern period. The covering of metal bosses is typical of Sassanian helmets, which are sometime referred to as 'Sassanian Spangenhelms'. Sometimes the metal appliqués have religious or amuletic motifs incorporated, but on this example the purpose appears to have been merely decorative. The helmets appear to have been worn over a textile or leather cap which extended to the neck; on later helmets this developed into a mail camail encircling the head and face below the helmet's rim. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition, some restoration. Rare.