Exhibition about Helmet

      A helmet is a hat made of a strong material which you wear to protect your head.  In combat, however, a combo helmet is specifically designed to protect the head from bullets, shell fragments, and other dangerous weapons. I t can be traced back to ancient times, when our ancestors made a living by hunting and fighting with the protection of original helmet made of coconut shell, turtle shell, etc. Later on, as the development of metallurgy and the requirement of war, people invented sorts of mental helmets. Meanwhile its structure has also been improved for better protection. As Tim Newark described 'As with armour, it was essential for a helm to be well padded for it to be effective. At times when lance warfare or archery have been more prevalent, more face protection was evident, but this, in turn, was a trade-off against being able to breathe freely and being able to see clearly. ' Besides protection, which is the basic function, helmet also contains some deeper meaning with it. In different regions, cultures, or even classes, there are thousands of different shapes and forms, but whatever they look like, they all have a same principle,to show off the statue and power asa well as to get good fortune. Helmet is not only utilitarian but also artistic, moreover, it represents the features of times. Therefore, we should pay more attention on the symbolic significance and design ideas as we analyze them.
      Corinthian helm

Greek Corinthian helm

The Greek Corinthian helm was firstly invented in ancient Greece. They named it after the city's name Corinthian and generally it was made of bronze. It provided a perfect protection of the entire head as well as the neck, but on the other side, it made the soldiers very hard to see clearly and breath in deed. The most famous characteristic of Corinthian helm is the horsehair panache. But definitely, not all the soldier could be able to wear a helm with horsehair, it is the officer who had this prerogative. The royal corinthian helm always had a full nature horsehair plume which was both decorative and functional, perfectly representing the noble status of the people who was wearing it. 

Greek Helmets evolution

Viking helmet
People often associate Viking age with horned helmet. But in fact it is a common misunderstand,as even nowadays it still shows up in many scandinavian ceremonies and be regarded as the presentation of Viking culture. There's no evidence exists to say that horned helmet was once used in combat. It was the invention of 19th century romanticism.  In fact, due to the mere information exists, Viking helmet was actually made of iron or hardened leather and was in the shape of rounded cap. As warfare was the major activity in Viking age, it was general for a worrier to have a collection of weapon and armour. But only a really rich Viking could be able to own a helmet therefore to display his wealth and status. Besides, it's believed by experts that Viking used to hand the helmet down one generation to another, treating it as a sort of heirloom.

Viking helmet

Spangenhelm

Spangenhelm was probably the most popular helm in Europe from 5th to 9th centuries. It was basically made of several iron plates that formed together a bowl shape.  Some spangenhelm had a nose protector  or eye protector. It also inverted as a T shape and was always decorated with punched designs. At the apex of the helmet was a bronze disc with a ridged knob protruding from the centre, from which a plume could be attached.

Spangenhelm

Bibliography:

Newark, T. (2009) 'The worldwide history of warfare: the ultimate visual guide, from the ancient world to the American Civil War', London: Thames & Hudson, 2009. 304-05