Berkasovo Type I Roman Ridge Helmet

This is a highly decorated iteration of the "Berkasovo Type I Roman Ridge Helmet" made from iron with a silver and gold gilt finish, decorated with coloured glass beads and gem rosette inserts. It is in the Museum of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. Enough evidence exists to show these were in widespread use from the 4th to 7th Centuries and possibly another 200+ years, but as always source materials don't co-operate (first major source was a coin from the rule of Constantine the Great) Justinian the Great had an official mosaic commissioned showing him wearing a Roman crown, heavily adorned with priceless gemstones and three strings of brilliant white translucent pearls running the entire circumference of the helmet. These were all features of the military helmet and being in the 6th Century AD, was quite possibly the last Imperial crown to not be blatantly fashioned to ensure large Christian Crosses in all possible locations - 1500 years on and the British Royal Crown is still designed in this manner.

Image: falco 100 - flickr.

Creative Commons - Public Domain.