Celtic iron helmet, dated to the 3rd century BC.
Celtic warriors favored iron armor, unlike the Italic peoples, who long used bronze helmets.
This particular Celtic helmet type is based on several finds from Central and Eastern Europe. The two closest and most similar helmets to this reproduction are the Celtic helmets from Batina (Croatia) and Mihovo (Slovenia).
Another helmet of this type, from Ciumeşti, is famous for its elaborate decoration on the apex, featuring a bird (probably a bird of prey) with outstretched wings: this is typical of the Celts’ penchant for highly decorative helmets.
Another example of these decorations comes from an iconographic source, the Pergamon Altar. Among the conquered Celtic weapons, there is also a Batina-type helmet with two striking metal horns applied (a decoration also found on Montefortino-type helmets from Celtic, Ligurian and Italic contexts).
