Found by a metal detectorist on a farm at Crosby Garrett, a village in Northwest England around May 2010. The helmet was in 33 large fragments and 34 small fragments, found face down in clay. The face mask was intact, but everything else was in pieces. The helmet was given to Christie’s to be cleaned and restored and was just sold at auction today for $3,629,469 by an anonymous buyer, beating out 5 other bidders.

photo credit: PA

These helmets were not for combative use, but worn for hippika gymnasia (cavalry sports events). The polished white-metal surface of the Crosby Garrett face-mask would have provided a striking contrast to the original golden-bronze colour of the hair and Phrygian cap. In addition, colourful streamers may have been attached to the rings along the back ridge and on the griffin crest. Arrian of Nicomedia, a Roman provincial governor under Hadrian, provides us with the only surviving contemporary source of information on cavalry sports events. He describes, in an appendix to his Ars Tactica, how the cavalrymen were divided into two teams which took turns to attack and defend. He suggests that the wearing of these helmets was a mark of rank or excellence in horsemanship. Participants would also carry a light, elaborately painted shield, and wear an embroidered tunic and possibly thigh-guards and greaves, all of which would contribute to the impressive spectacle. (via Art Daily)

photo credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

It’s a pretty interesting story. The Guardian has a good article on the details, but you can read more about it here or here.