| Agris Helmet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Material | Iron, bronze, gold, coral |
| Size | 21.4 centimetres (8.4 in) high 23 by 19 centimetres (9.1 by 7.5 in) wide Cheek-guard: 9.4 by 7.6 centimetres (3.7 by 3.0 in) |
| Created | 4th century BC |
| Place | Agris, Charente, France |
| Present location | Musée d'Angoulême |
The Agris Helmet (French: Casque d'Agris) is a ceremonial Celtic helmet from c. 350 BC that was found in a cave near Agris, Charente, France, in 1981. It is a masterpiece of Celtic art, and would probably have been used for display rather than worn in battle. The helmet consists of an iron cap completely covered with bands of bronze. The bronze is in turn covered with unusually pure gold leaf, with embedded coral decorations attached using silver rivets. One of the cheek guards was also found and has similar materials and designs. The helmet is mostly decorated in early Celtic patterns but there are later Celtic motifs and signs of Greek influence. The quality of the gold indicates that the helmet may well have been made locally in the Atlantic region.