New Sutton Hoo work by Dave Roper -- myArmoury.com

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 3:52 am Post subject: New Sutton Hoo work by Dave Roper

Dave Roper (www.thehoard.co.uk) has just completed a new helmet for me. He made my previous SH helm but, Dave being a bit of a perfectionist always wanted to improve upon it. He certainly has!
The helmet isbasically an iron bowl to which are attached the faceplate, the cheekpieces and the neckguard. It is lined with a deerskin spider to from the suspension on the head.
Dave makes the decorative plates (pressbleches) by carving a die in wax, then casting it in bronze. Each of the plates are then beaten over the die using a sheet of lead to protect the material and help it to conform to the die shape. The original helmet had bronze plates that were tinned -- on this occassion we have cheated slightly as we agreed to use solid silver, mainly to improve maintenance. My other helmet had silvered bronze plates - which are a pain to keep looking presentable - the owner of the original helmet had a helmet polisher to do the work as he was a king .
Dave made new dies for this helmet as he had become aware of small details that needed changing.
The plates are held in position by swaged copper alloy strips, which are then rivetted in position.
The crest (wala) is made from iron which has silver wires forced into it - the name often given to this kind of work is the German word tauschieren. The eyebrows are also made from a similar method but this time the wires are forced into bronze. The face parts have all been gold plated.

I don't think that he has done a bad job.

Cheers,

Paul[/i]

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 3:57 am Post subject:

To complement the helmet, Dave has also made a pair of replica drinking horns. Owing to the fact that auroch's horns are no longer available he has fashioned the horns himself out of various plastics and other materials. they are enormous, 4 inches in diameter and 44 inches following the curves. The metal work is mostly made from the same method as the helmet plates but this time verything is heavily gold plated.
They hold more than five pints each -- which could represent a good night out!

Paul

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 3:59 am Post subject:

Here is a picture of the helmet and horns together to give an indication of scale.

Paul

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 4:00 am Post subject:

And a side view of the hat!

Cheers,

Paul

ps - thanks to Nathan for sizing the pictures!

Hisham Gaballa · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 4:18 am Post subject:

Beautiful workmanship, it's absolutely stunning. You are a very lucky man. Happy

Geoff Wood · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 4:21 am Post subject:

I like, '..... we have cheated slightly as we agreed to use solid silver ......' - sort of an inverse Gerald Ratnerism.
Wonderful work!
Geoff

Mikko Kuusirati · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 6:07 am Post subject:

I agree, "stunning" would definitely be le mot juste here. Even aside from the materials (solid silver? cheating? well, if you say so...), with such fine and plentiful detail, it must have taken enormous amounts of sheer work.

Also, five pints, that's... about two-and-a-half liters, right? Man, that's a sixpack in one mug! They sure knew how to party, back then... Big Grin

David Ross · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 6:23 am Post subject:

Wow! Utterly stunning work. Cool

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sun 05 Nov, 2006 8:38 am Post subject:

Paul, thank you for sharing these photos. Once again you've shown us what a master craftsman Dave Roper must be. When you told me you were having a second helmet made I wondered why since the first one was already beautiful, as shown here.

Now I can see why. This new helmet is even more magnificent than the first. Well done by Dave and congratulations to you! I can't wait to see the completed shield.

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Mon 06 Nov, 2006 11:29 am Post subject:

Many thanks for the positive comments, I shall pass them on to Dave. The shield should be completed next year.

Cheers,

Paul

Tim Lison

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Jeroen Zuiderwijk · Industry Professional

Wow

Not only a masterpiece, surpassing what was already a masterpiece, but I've got to give extra credit to Dave for after making the first one, going through the entire process again to make it even better!

Greg Griggs · Posted: Mon 06 Nov, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject:

Not enough superlatives in the English language to describe a piece of craftmanship such as that. Congrats on receiving a wonderful work of art, Paul, and a big hand to Dave on the fortitude to make a great piece even better!

Martin Wilkinson · Posted: Mon 06 Nov, 2006 2:26 pm Post subject:

WOW!!!!

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor a couple of times after seeing this.

Absolutely amazing.

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Sat 18 Nov, 2006 7:53 am Post subject:

Thank you all, again, for your very positive comments.
When Dave has finished the shield (next March) I will post some pictures.

Paul

Richard Fay · Posted: Sat 18 Nov, 2006 9:11 am Post subject:

Hello all!

That helmet is, unquestionably, a work of art.

Beautiful!

Stay safe!

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Sat 18 Nov, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

I am a little late in getting to this thread, but feel compelled to echo the superlative comments made thus far on Mr. Roper's work. His "Mark 1" version looked superb. This "Mark 2" version is yet another step up. Congratulations, Paul!

Gabriel Lebec · myArmoury Team

Absolutely fantastic. The workmanship of the crest and eyebrows especially.
It really speaks of a rare level of care that he would return to this project and do it over again from scratch. Congratulations on becoming the caretaker of a fine work of art, Paul.
-GLL

Peter Lyon · Industry Professional

That is one of the most incredible works of armour art I have ever seen - truely beautiful and amazing work. Congratulations all round.