UK News
Roman bronze helmet found in field fetches millions in London
Oct 7, 2010, 15:40 GMT
London - A rare Roman bronze helmet discovered in a field in Britain has been sold for the remarkable sum of 2.3 million pounds (3.6 million dollars), Christie's auction house in London said Thursday.
The Crosby Garrett Helmet, which dates from the late 1st to 2nd century AD, had been estimated to fetch up to 300,000 pounds, Christie's said.
Six buyers bid for the helmet, which was eventually sold to an anonymous telephone bidder.
'This is an exceptional object - an extraordinary and haunting face from the past,' Christie's said. The helmet is an 'extraordinary example of Roman metalwork at its zenith,' it added.
The helmet, which was used in Roman times for cavalry sports events, was discovered in a field in Cumbria, northern England, by a metal detector enthusiast in May 2010.
Museums and tourism chiefs in the region of Cumbria, one of Britain's foremost tourist areas, had campaigned to keep the helmet in Cumbria where it would have a 'Mona Lisa' effect on visitors.
Read more about Auction
Read more about Great Britain History
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in UK
- 1. Cambridge beat Oxford in 158th Boat Race after midway halt
- 2. Gas flare at Total's North Sea platform self-extinguishes
- 3. A myth turns 100: Titanic still fascinates world
- 4. Source of North Sea platform gas leak located, says Total
- 5. Efforts under way to stop gas leak on North Sea platform
Older Talkback
