8th century B.C. An Assyrian or Levantine domed bronze helmet of ovoid shape with slightly pointed top and integral cheek-pieces; chased low-relief decoration to both front and back depicting a pair of opposing ibexes flanking a small palm tree; the edge with regularly disposed holes for fastening of the leather lining. Cf. Barron, A.E., Late Assyrian Arms and Armour, Art versus Artefact, Toronto, 2010; Borchardt, J., Homerische Helme: Helmenformen der Ág?is in ihren Beziehungen zu orientalischen und europäischen Helmen in der Bronze-und frühen Eisenzeit, Mainz, 1972, p.99 and pls.31, 32, 3; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian; Dezs?, T., The Assyrian Army, I. The structure of the Neo-Assyrian army as reconstructed from the Assyrian Palace Reliefs and Cuneiform Sources, 2. Cavalry and Chariotry, Budapest, 2012; similar helmets in Gorelik, 2003, pl.LXI, nos.45, 48, 78. 458 grams, 23 cm high (9 in.). Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. Apanied by an academic report by Dr. Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate no.11386-190447. This rare and wonderful helmet is an unusual (probably early) example of conical strap-helmet, linked with similar Greek strap helmets, but until now in the Near East, known only from the Assyrian reliefs. It is shown together with the crested helmets, on the reliefs of Tiglapilaser III and Sennacherib.