Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Replica of the helmet from Benty Grange
Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Replica of the helmet from Benty Grange
Dimensions : Height to crown 19cm, height to bristles 28.5. Circumference 71.5cm. Weight 1441g.
Site name : Benty Grange
Site type : Burial site
Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Iron; Bone or antler; Silver; Gold; Bronze; Metal; Gemstone
Object type : Grave goods; Personal item
Museum number : 1995.260
The Benty Grange helmet, as it survives today, gives only a very general idea of how it looked originally. This is because the organic parts have decayed and the metal parts have corroded. The making of the replica gave an opportunity to show just how splendid the helmet would have looked originally.
The making of the replica also gave the chance to experiment with the techniques which could have been used in the Anglo-Saxon period. Archaeologists had ideas about how such an object would have been made. However, only practical testing could show whether these ideas worked.
The organic elements of the helmet did not survive. However, it was possible to guess what they were and how they were used. Wherever possible, the same materials were used as in the original. Modern tools were used in the manufacturing process, plus a few specialist tools for particular tasks. Martin Murphy experimented with different techniques. He tried to identify those which worked best and gave the required effect.
Bibliography :
Bruce-Mitford, R. and Luscombe, M. R. , 1974
Glossary:
Anglo-Saxon
Archaeologist
Sutton Hoo
Related objects
Two boar tusks and two pieces of haematite from Liffs Low
Helmet from Benty Grange
The boar on the replica Benty Grange helmet
Replica Benty Grange helmet in use
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