Product description
This helmet is a replica of an original from the 1st century AD, which is now part of the Leon Levy and Shelby White Collection in New York.
In the Roman military, certain soldiers wore larva masks combined with helmets. Although depictions of Roman soldiers wearing masks are rare, it is believed that they were primarily used by cavalry officers and standard-bearers, such as the Signifer, Vexillarius, Imaginifer, and Aquilifer. While larva masks may have offered some protection in combat, this was likely not their primary function.
The masks were often modeled after legendary heroes of antiquity, such as Alexander the Great, aligning with the tradition of military cults that celebrated individual heroism, where heroes could even be deified. Larva masks were made from iron or brass, often silvered for added visual impact. The wearer became not only unrecognizable but also a symbolic embodiment of a hero, god, or mythical warrior.
The mask and decorations on this replica are made of brass. It features a leather strap for securing the helmet, and the mask is lined with leather for comfort and can be flipped up. The helmet fits a maximum head circumference of 62 cm.
