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Flat Figures Painters Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: louis on April 14, 2014, 08:03:45 AM

Title: Color of the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets
Post by: louis on April 14, 2014, 08:03:45 AM

Do we know what the colors were on the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets?
 
I have only seen colorated art on ceramics, using yellow, red, white and black, but no other colors (like blue or green). Can we rule out those colors for the horsehair crests on the helmets, or was it possible that all colors were used?


Anybody who has more knowledge on the matter?
 
 
Pictured below is a 30 mm flat figure, painted in oil.
(http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt310/louislil/grekvagn1.jpg) (http://s622.photobucket.com/user/louislil/media/grekvagn1.jpg.html)
 
 

Title: Re: Color of the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets
Post by: errant49 on April 14, 2014, 11:59:15 AM

Hi Louis
I am afraid you will not find any satisfying answer
Thectruth is we do not really know
The only thing is that in those ancient times only natural colors were used
White, black and red were probably most frequent; but why not other natural  issued colors ?
You can also let some room to your artitic licence !
The chariot is nice; Gottstein figure, engraved by Frank
Eric

Title: Re: Color of the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets
Post by: marko on April 14, 2014, 01:28:54 PM

I agree with Eric on this one.  Blacks and reds seem predominant which make sense.  However, given these are natural fibers and hence not too many examples around no one can tell you are wrong whatever artistic sense tells you.

There is a nice write up on natural dyes and colors in the Ancient World by Einion over on PlanetFigure about which was interesting on this subject.

Great figure so far.

mark  8)

Title: Re: Color of the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets
Post by: willie on April 14, 2014, 06:34:23 PM

I think we had this talk a few years ago about natural colors I mention a book by Crowood publishing about natural dyes. I agree with the guys since we where not around at the time. I think you are in the park with your figure. Willie

Title: Re: Color of the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets
Post by: louis on April 15, 2014, 05:30:51 AM

Many thanks to you all for your input and kind words.

marko92, where more exactly can I find the post of Einion on PlanetFigure? There are so many treads there...   ;)

/Louis

Title: Re: Color of the horsehair crests of the Greek hoplite helmets
Post by: marko on April 15, 2014, 11:55:26 AM

Louis let me dig it up.  I have it saved in my notes.


mark  8)