Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 1).djvu/126

 plate, the whole put together with hemispherically headed rivets. Upon the surface, executed with a graving tool, are represented crude figures of horses, oxen, birds, and fishes, with palm-like leaves and vessels, that in appearance resemble chalices. Herr Ubisch has construed this ornamentation to have reference to the Christian faith, and considers that it is the earliest known armament to bear such emblems. The longitudinal bands have a chequered design upon them (Fig. 63).

Imperial Armoury, Vienna

The tenth helmet (Fig. 64), together with the next to be described, both of iron and bronze gilt, are two of the most recent purchases made for the Imperial Armoury of Vienna; both were excavated in Finland. It has many features in common with the helmet just described, and the so-called "Henry the Lion helmet." The construction is the same, also the method of decoration. It was a poor crushed example when found, but it has been skilfully and judiciously restored.

The eleventh helmet (Fig. 65), as just stated, is also in the Imperial Armoury at Vienna, and was likewise excavated in Finland. In construction it is the same as the last described, but the lining plates are of plain iron