AN ANCIENT RELIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11028, 17 March 1914, Page 3

AN ANCIENT RELIC.

FRENCH HELMET AT AKAROA. DISCOVERED IN A WASHHOUSE. HUNDREDS OF YEARS OLD. Akaroa is a happy hunting ground for thoso who delve in the past. Nobody knows what relics and treasures tho early French and English settlers brought with them, and the antiquarian might go further afield than the quiet little township and fare worse. What is belioved to he a valuable relic was recently discovered and brought to Christchurch by Mr James Carter, superintendent of the Sumner Fire Brigade, and a delegate at 'the recent conference held at Akaroa.

Tho treasure is an obviously ancient French war helmet, somewhat the shapo of a low-crowned " mushroom " hat, but with a srightly oval brim, the front of which is curved back a little into a lip. The helmet is composed of a single piece of thick and heavy raw hide, apparently moulded on a wooden or other block while it was green and pliable and allowed to dry. Over the top of the crown and on both sides of the brim a finely woven canvas is stretched,, and this, again, is covered by a heavy, lustrous black lacquer. A little in from the edge, on the under side of the brim, runs a line of metal eyelets, except for a gap of about six inches in front of the face. To these chain mail was evidently attached, falling down to the shoulders and further protecting the head and neck. Tag ends of leathern thongs suggest that the helm did not fit down on to the head, but was supported by padding an inch or two above it. There is little decoration, but on the crown front is an emblem worked in gold lacquer, a rose and leaves, and the brim underneath was at one time also pold lacquered, but this is almost worn off.

its undoubted antiquity,, the relic is ift a remarkable statp of preservation. The padding has long ago disappeared, and there are two breaks in the lacquer of the crown, and smaller .chips round tlis brim edge, but apart from these the helmet is almost perfect. . . Like many a treasure, this relic had for many years a humble resting place, not in the dusty garret, beloved of the resurrectors of old masters, but in a family washhouse, where it lay for fifty years, unnoticed and unconsidered. With fellow-delegates, Mr Carter was sitting one on tho verandah of Mrs E. Jesson's private boarding-house listening to tales of the good old times of Akaroa. The conversation turned to relics and mementoes of the oiirly days, and Mrs Jesson brought out the helmet and gave_ it to Mr Carter as a souvenir of his sojourn in Akaroa. Though Mrs Jesson has lived in the township for over fifty years, and remembers the days when the bush grew to the water's edge,' she could give no history of the helmet. Mr .Carter showed it to several old one of whom was of {the opinion that it had been brought out on an early French ship, and advised that M. Malaquin, of Christchurch, should be consulted. \

M. Malaquin, after turning. up French history and making careful comparison with illustrations, is of the opinion that the helmet was worn about the time of Louis X. of France, that is, about the reign of Edward 11., 1284-1327, making it roughly about six hundred years old. M. Malaquin considers that illustrations lie lias in his possession prove almost conclusively that similar helmets were worn by foot soldiers during the period stated, and these illustrations show plainly the identical shape and the hanging pro.tection of chain- mail. With regard, to' the emblem,- M. Malaquin said that probably it was the distinguishing badge of a feudal lord, and that it was not a national emblem. He had never come across anything similar :in any museum, and considers that Mr Carter has unearthed an. almost priceless relic. It has been suggested that the helmet has been handed down from generation to generation and treasured as an heirloom, but this suggestion is quashed by a very ordinary number ticket. Evidently the relic has, during its long career, seen bad days and passed, through the hands of a dealer in curios. The ticket is the usual red-lined "lot" ticket, very much faded and dirty, but with a glass the number 1238 can be faintly made oat. This, however, in no way detracts from the genuineness 'of the Mr Carter lias, as yet, no definite idea of what he will do with his find, and at present he has left it with M. Malaquin. •