21 March 2024
Recreating the Helmet
We are thrilled that we have been able to commission two Hallaton Helmet replicas thanks to very generous funding by local organisations. They allow us to appreciate the original magnificence of the helmet and the detail of the images chosen to adorn its surfaces. Both replicas are now on display at Harborough Museum. We will share more details of how the replicas were made in a future post, so please check back soon!
The first replica was made by Leicestershire-based silversmith Rajesh Gogna. This replica and a duplicate for Hallaton Museum, was very generously funded by the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society.
Rajesh translated the drawings of the iconography into a 3D model which was then 3D printed. This approach allowed two replicas to be produced, one for Harborough Museum and one for Hallaton Museum.
The second replica was made by archaeologist and replica maker Francesco Galluccio.
Francesco’s replica was created using traditional tools with which the Roman master craftsman who produced the original helmet would have been familiar.
Rajesh Gogna is a Leicestershire-based silversmith and comes from a long line of silversmiths and goldsmiths. He is currently a Senior Lecturer & Practice Based Researcher at De Montfort University, Leicester. Rajesh’s expertise is in contemporary silver and he was able to recreate the Hallaton Helmet using modern techniques of CAD modelling, 3D printing, copper electroforming, silver-plating and gilding. The helmet was hand-crafted at various points throughout the process and Rajesh handmade the brass fastening loops, rivets and hinge pins.
Rajesh's replicas were produced for Harborough Museum and Hallaton Museum. This work was very generously funded by the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society.
Archaeologist and replica maker Francesco Galluccio is based in Rome and has a wealth of knowledge and experience of recreating Roman armour. Francesco’s replica was created using traditional tools with which the Roman master craftsman who produced the original helmet would have been familiar.
Francesco's replica was very generously funded by Market Harborough Historical Society, Market Harborough & The Bowdens Charity, Leicestershire Fieldworkers and the Friends of Leicester and Leicestershire Museums.
The original helmet and both replicas are now on display at Harborough Museum.