Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
The boar on the replica Benty Grange helmet
Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
The boar on the replica Benty Grange helmet
Dimensions : Length of boar 10cm.
Site name : Benty Grange
Site type : Burial site
Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Metal; Gold; Bronze; Gemstone
Museum number : 1995.260
The finishing touch for the boar on top of the helmet is the crest. The 2mm gap running along the back of the original boar must have had a purpose. Boars raise the bristles on their backs when angry. It was suggested that the gap was for the fitting of hair to copy this.
The original crest was probably made of boar's hair. This is now very difficult to get hold of, as wild boar are rare. Badger hair was considered as the next best thing, but in the end it was possible to obtain boar's hair from Hungary. These hairs are very long and jet black at the base. The ends are split, so they appear lighter. The hairs were fitted into the gap on the back of the boar, with the black ends closest to the body. The black contrasts with the gold fittings. It also contrasts with the lighter horn strips running along the top of the helmet.
Bibliography :
Bruce-Mitford, R. and Luscombe, M. R. , 1974
Glossary:
Rivet
Related objects
Close up of boar on helmet from Benty Grange
Pieces of the boar from the replica Benty Grange helmet
Beaver's tooth pendant from Wigber Low
Two boar tusks and two pieces of haematite from Liffs Low
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