The kind of rare stuff that gets under the auction hammer these days is pretty bizarre. I had earlier spoken about the white and blue lavatory of Late Beatles Singer John Lennon being auctioned for a strikingly high price. This time an unusual piece of artifact, a Roman cavalry helmet, is going to be auctioned in Britain with an estimated price of £300,000.
The helmet was found by a metal detector user near the village of Crosby Garrett in Cumbria in North West England. It did not find place in museum for a single piece of bronze like this is not categorized under the Treasure Act. It is beautifully modelled as the head of a handsome young man. The detailing is awe-inspriing as the face is perfectly framed by curly hair and a Phrygian cap rests atop its head. This was reportedly adopted as the symbol of many revolutionary movements – topped with a griffin (legendary creature with a body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle).
The British museum plans to acquire it by paying compensation to the finder and land owner because of the non-applicability of Old Treasure Act.
Via: Guardian
