Making a Roman Attic Helmet from a Corinthian helm

[AntonivsMarivsCongianocvs]

Thanks everyone again!!!

I really did my best and tried to use as much Roman motif as possible (e.g it could have existed) and based a great deal on the sculptures of the Praetorian Guard, such as the thunderbolt/lightening bolt cheek guard, the laurel crown around the helmet, and the wreaths in the back... although the attic helmet at the Louver only has one wreath... I did three.

It is challenging without physical examples or 'finds' but, the last thing I wanted to do was over-embellish or make something up from whole-cloth. I figured if I stuck with known examples in art, sculpture, and coins, and stuck with decorations that were typically used in ancient Rome, I wouldn't stray too far from a true Roman motif.

I took a close up of the cheek guards and the visor mounted to the helmet, you can really start to see all the imperfections this close in.... the helmet looks better from about an arms length away I think.

[Christophorus Rubrum]

Don't be too rude with yourself, it is your project and you ve done it
CONGRATS
I would like to have a quater of your skills, make me dream of something like project starting from Russell "Maximus" Crowe's Gladiator cheapo helmet (the one without peack)

[brennivs - tony drake]

Brillant work hock: it is great to see it done stage by stage laudes from me D
Regards Brennivs

[maius]

WOW! Outstanding job on your Attic helmet. It turned out great.

There are some really talented people on this forum, thanks for posting the pics.

Maius/Bill

[AntonivsMarivsCongianocvs]

it is great to see it done stage by stage

Thanks everyone and thanks Tony! I'd like to see more of your sword making for sure!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yes I think it is damned good work mate!!

[sophus_tree]

You really did us all great service by posting your step-by-step photos.

That was really above and beyond! I have been hesitant to try brasswork like yours, but now I want to give it a try.

You are incredibly generous with your time and talent!

-MSS

[tlclark]

A fabulous example of a piece that is "authentic" without slavishly duplicating a known find, but by incorporating known motifs in appropriate locations.

Great work.

[Marcus Caecilius Avitus]

Anthony,

This is what makes RAT really wothwhile.

You've beautifully demonstrated and demistified a skill - repousse. You've shown great innovation & dedication. What's more it's very inspiring.

EXCELLENT WORK 8)

(I make that 4 laudes)

[Uwe Bahr]

Anthony,

I can only assist the words of my previous speakes. Abolutely phantastic work, I am deeply impressed. And not the first example, I really enjoyed Your topic about the musculata applications. Both themes inspired me too and gave me ideas as I have another brass helmet that I want to reconstruct like You, too - very well deserved laudes to You.

Greets from Germania inferior
Uwe

[Theodosius the Great]

Congratulations, Anthony !

It's incredible how you were able to transform a simple Corinthian into a Roman Attic. hock: The embossed brass and edgings are stunning.

I can tell you modelled your motifs from actual friezes that show Attic helmets. The winged-lightning bolts on the cheeks, the laurel wreath on the crown, the floral vines, the polka dotted edges, etc...I recognize them all. What thorough and meticoulous research you must've done to try to replicate the authenticity !

I wish your work was allowed to be nominated for the Hasta award. No matter what some may think, it is based on archeological evidence.

You're bound to win something soon at the rate you're working at though. Everyone has seen how researched your work is and how well you've been able to recreate authentic looking gear.

There's very little room for improvement with your helmet, if I may say so. The crest feathers (as mentioned earlier) should probably be trimmed. But not just shortened. If you look closely at the crests from the carved reliefs you will see that the feathers are tapered from the bottom up. A friend of mine advised me to cut the stem and not the tip to shorten the feathers. This creates a more consistent look with the archeological evidence I'm told. I can't detect anything else that could be tinkered with.

Beautiful work, Anthony.

Thanks for documenting your progress and sharing your notes with us

I'm looking forward to any other future projects you may have in the works.

~Theo

[Aetius Helvius Merula]

(jaw drops) Man, that's some good work! Once I get around to doing my own metalwork, might I pick your brains?

[Doug Strong]

I really like the work you have done here. May I ask wehere you found 36 gauge brass? I can find 36 gauge copper and 24 brass but I need the really thin stuff for lace chapes. I've been looking all over for it. (Obviously not in the right places though. )

[AntonivsMarivsCongianocvs]

THANKS EVERYONE for the wonderful complements!

A fabulous example of a piece that is "authentic" without slavishly duplicating a known find, but by incorporating known motifs in appropriate locations.

Great work.

Wow Travis thanks! That means a lot coming from you

Once I get around to doing my own metalwork, might I pick your brains?

Well, I thought I only had one brain but... pick away anytime!

A friend of mine advised me to cut the stem and not the tip to shorten the feathers.

Theo- I did try cutting some of the feathers down, with disastrous results but, I didn't think to try cutting them from the bottom up! :roll:

Hummmmmm... that could work and better match the Praetorian Guard relief but, then I'd loose the whole tribute to Alexander the Great huge-white-plum thang I got goin' on! :wink:

May I ask where you found 36 gauge brass?

Nope, I have to keep it a top secret! :twisted:

Just kidding... it's made by K&S

What I'm using is K&S .005 36 gauge brass, part number 6010.

I picked mine up at Maximum Velocity, Inc.
Phone: United States 623-587-9261
[url:112eob8w]http://www.maximum-velocity.com[/url]

It costs around $15 US.

[Uwe Bahr]

Salve Antonius,

again my compliments for Your outstanding art. I have yet a little question to You: in Your step-by-step-description You wrote about the brass that it was 18g or 18 gauge brass - can You tell me in millimeters (mm) how thin this is?

Or generally to all R.A.T.'ers: up to how much millimeters can the brass still be embossed in the way how Antonius did it with his beautiful helmet?

Greets and thanks in advance

Uwe