C. 100-50 BC. Roman. Very rare bronze Montefortino helmet with rounded bowl, folded brim and projection on the top for attaching a plume. The Montefortino-type helmet was a mainstay of Roman soldiers during the Roman Republic, because it provided excellent protection while also allowing for a full field of vision. XRF analysis by an independent Belgian laboratory. All samples correspond to the metal content of the period specified; no modern trace elements were detected in the patina; expertly cleaned and conserved. Excellent condition with minor repair at the back; beautiful patina; on a custom stand. Size: L:190mm / W:215mm ; 1.9kg; Provenance: Property of a London doctor; formerly in the private collection of a gentleman living in Oxford; acquired from on the UK art markets since mid-1980s.