Romans and Amazons

Gallery Specialist Alexandra Hamburger talks to Frieze Masters about one of the highlights of their stand this year - a Roman bronze face mask from a cavalry sports helmet. Dating to the second to third century AD, the mask is unusual in that it depicts a female. It’s thought that these female examples are meant to represent Amazons, the mythical race of warrior women, and that Roman soldiers would don such masks in a re-enactment of the legendary conflict between the ancient Greeks and the Amazons.