Conservation around the Millennium (Hungarian National Museum, 2001)
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fragments of this type from the late imperial period. They can be divided into four groups regarding production technology, morphological traits and ornaments: Type I.: small-crested helmet from Intercisa Type II: large-crested helmet from Intercisa Type III: helmet no. 2 from Berkasovó and the helmet from the Eskü square Type IV: helmet no. 1 from Berkasovó20 THE OBJECT'S ARRIVAL IN THE MUSEUM, ITS CONDITION The helmet restored again this time was found in the Eskü square21 on 25th of June, 1898 during laying the foundations of the bridgehead of Elisabeth bridge on the left side of the Danube. József Hampel wrote the followings about its condition at the time when it was found. “When the helmet was found, its exterior was covered with a layer of pebbles and sand, a similar mass filled up its interior, some broken off fragments of the helmet stuck to the surface bound by rust.22 ... The coloured plate can give an impression how colourful it used to be, although the gold surface has mostly been worn off by now or its shine has faded and many of the glass inlays are missing or their shine and translucency have been dimmed by oxidation."23 The close helmet itself is incomplete, weakened by a fissure that runs nearly all along its width and many smaller fissures. The crystallised coating and even the iron base have disappeared at some places along the fissures. Both cheek flaps are damaged, the neck guard and the nose guard are missing. The 1-2 mm high, about 10 mm wide comb that holds the two halves together is also incomplete. The surface of the helmet was coated with a gilt silver plate, which is in a strongly crystallised condition. First the two halves were coated then they were joined by the comb, which covers a few mm of the coatings on the two halves. A band with frieze-like ornament and stone inlays is fixed to the bottom of the helmet slightly overlapping the coating. Finally, a hoop closes the lower part of the helmet and secures the firmness of the object. The nose guard, the cheek flaps and the neck guard were attached to this hoop. The edges of the gilt silver coating were ornamented with punched plastic frame patterns. The close helmet and the cheek flaps were decorated with larger and smaller symmetrically arranged stone inlays in wide setting. The oblong-shaped green ones were made of glass, while the onyx imitations were made of laminated cast glass paste 7. Helmet filled in with gypsum 65
