About this objectThis helmet from the ship burial at Sutton Hoo, the so called 'King's Mound', is a rare find. It was originally fragmentary but was pieced together to form this reconstruction. The copper alloy sheets are stamped with animal interlace and other patterns and there are warrior motifs depicted in two panels. One shows a soldier being trampled underfoot by another soldier on a horse, a motif found across the Silk Roads.
The iron crest runs across the top of the helmet and down the nose gilt with animal terminals at the forehead and back of the head. The animals have garnet eyes.
It is not known whether this is a helmet made locally or produced in Scandinavia.
Date Madelate 6th -early 7th c.
Subject and Association KeywordsDeath and burials
Subject and Association KeywordsBurial bling
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Carver 1998; 2017; Marzinzik 2007; Williams, 1992
Medium and MaterialsIron, copper alloy, tin, gold, silver, garnet
TechniqueCloisonne
TechniqueGilded
TechniqueEngraved
TechniqueTinned
TechniqueStamped
TechniqueCast
TechniqueParcel-gilded
MeasurementsCircumference: 74.6 cm (as restored, at eyebrow level)
Height: 31.80 cm (as restored)
Length: 25.50 cm (as restored, at rim level)
Weight: 2.50 kg (of original, estimated)
Width: 21.50 cm (as restored, at rim level)
