viziermasker

Showpiece

Equestrian mask

80-125 AD, bronze, height: 21 cm, Leiden (Roomburg Polder)

This bronze visor mask was originally fastened to a Roman equestrian helmet by the hinge on top. These special helmets with visor masks were worn at dressage demonstrations and tournaments. For these occasions, the horsemen as well as the horses were fitted out with richly decorated parade gear, meant to protect them, but also to impress.

The mask was found during excavation at the Roman fortress Matilo (Leiden-Roomburg) in the bed of the so-called Corbulo's Canal, together with some horse gear. Possibly the mask was thrown into the water by a Roman horseman as an offering to the gods. The finds of horse gear and horses' bones on this site were of special importance because up till then it was thought that only infantry units were stationed in the fortress Matilo. Because of its luxuriant curly hair the visor mask was named the ''Gordon mask', after the Dutch popular singer Gordon.

Date of creation

van 1 tot 150

Period

• van 1 tot 150

Collection

Archeological finds from the Netherlands

Institution

• Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Source

• signatuur: 2001-500 (masker; viziermasker; romeins), Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden

Copyright

for information contact: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden

Keyword

• Zuid-Holland
• Leiden
• Roomburg (vindplaats)