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Description
This was another theme-less project for my second metalsmithing class. The only requirement was that the project had to be a bowl in some way. I was not too terribly excited about building a bowl until I figured that a helmet was just a bowl that someone stuck on their head to protect their noggin.

If you've never hammered a bowl shape out of a 16 inch copper disk, you're lucky. There is a lot of hammering involved and the sound of 20 students doing it at once gets a bit loud. Bring some earplugs and padded gloves if you ever try. Trust me on that.

This one does not have as deep of a meaning as my criptex or torqs. It is a humble helmet. Art History buffs will see a bit of Ancient Greek influence in the style of the helmet. The top crest is a nod to the well known red Spartan crests. (Actually I also mixed in a bit of Meso-American style). The front nose-guard is based on Athenian helmets.

It is surprising how tough simple copper can get when it is work hardened by endless hammering and a stable dome shape. The nose piece was scored and folded all from one piece. It fits quite comfortably too, but that might just be because I have a shaggy head of hair.

Materials: Copper, special liver of sulfur patina, moose leather (which is about 1/4" thick).

Alternate View: [link]

Description
This was another theme-less project for my second metalsmithing class. The only requirement was that the project had to be a bowl in some way. I was not too terribly excited about building a bowl until I figured that a helmet was just a bowl that someone stuck on their head to protect their noggin.

If you've never hammered a bowl shape out of a 16 inch copper disk, you're lucky. There is a lot of hammering involved and the sound of 20 students doing it at once gets a bit loud. Bring some earplugs and padded gloves if you ever try. Trust me on that.

This one does not have as deep of a meaning as my criptex or torqs. It is a humble helmet. Art History buffs will see a bit of Ancient Greek influence in the style of the helmet. The top crest is a nod to the well known red Spartan crests. (Actually I also mixed in a bit of Meso-American style). The front nose-guard is based on Athenian helmets.

It is surprising how tough simple copper can get when it is work hardened by endless hammering and a stable dome shape. The nose piece was scored and folded all from one piece. It fits quite comfortably too, but that might just be because I have a shaggy head of hair.

Materials: Copper, special liver of sulfur patina, moose leather (which is about 1/4" thick).

Alternate View: [link]