Roman Military Standards and Crested Helmets, Hand Colored Lithograph, 1842

This is an original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows seven standards on tall poles in tones of bronze and buff. From the left: a pole hung with five discs under a crossbar and a small pointed canopy bearing a wreath; a winged Victory standing above a fringed cloth banner; a wreath enclosing an open hand above a crossbar, a column of discs and a crescent; an eagle with spread wings; a framed panel with a standing figure above a medallion and further discs; and two fringed cloth banners hung from crossbars. The lower image shows four helmets. At the upper left is a helmet with a tall fan shaped crest rising from a small eagle and a plume falling behind. At the upper right a steel blue crested helmet with yellow cheek pieces is shown on a head in profile. Below are a bronze helmet with red plumes and a long neck guard, and a plain rounded cap.

The plate is lettered "Tom. IV" at the upper left, "ITALIA" in the center and "Tav. 47" at the upper right. The upper caption reads "Insegne" (standards) and the lower caption reads "Elmi" (helmets).

The eagle was the chief standard of the Roman legion, while the cloth banner, the vexillum, was carried by smaller detachments and cavalry. Standards were treated with religious respect and losing one was a grave disgrace.

The tall row of standards gives the plate a strong vertical rhythm that suits a narrow wall or a study.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.