2081 - Iron Age Bronze Helmet Ornament in the Form of a Bull's Horn. Celtic, 4th-1st century B.C. Decorative attachment in the form of a bull s horn, curving and ending in a spherical knob with a notched underside; a torus collar at the horn's lower end, with a square cross-section below it; a conical disc at the base with three perforations for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. for a Celtic horned helmet of the period, Various, Guerrieri Principi ed Eroi fra il Danubio e il Po dalla Preistoria all'Alto Medioevo, Trento, 2004, p.314. 161 grams total, 22.5 cm including stand (8 7/8 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.)

Iron Age Bronze Helmet Ornament in the Form of a Bull's Horn. Celtic, 4th-1st century B.C. Decorative attachment in the form of a bull s horn, curving and ending in a spherical knob with a notched underside; a torus collar at the horn's lower end, with a square cross-section below it; a conical disc at the base with three perforations for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. for a Celtic horned helmet of the period, Various, Guerrieri Principi ed Eroi fra il Danubio e il Po dalla Preistoria all'Alto Medioevo, Trento, 2004, p.314. 161 grams total, 22.5 cm including stand (8 7/8 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.) Ex private South German collection, 1970s. with Hermann Historica, Auction 66, 6 May 2013, no.2363. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13523-263141. Numerous examples of Celtic helmets adorned with horns are known. Amongst these, there are several parallels for the specific shape of the bull s horn presented here. An interpretation as a helmet ornament therefore appears plausible, especially in view of the size of our object. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.