Romania wants to buy ancient Dacian helmet, Brancusi works from art institute in bankrupt Detroit

The Romanian Government has started proceedings to buy a silver Dacian helmet as well as a sculpture and several drawings by Constantin Brancusi from an art institute in Detroit, according to Government sources, quoted by Mediafax newswire. The American city of Detroit declared bankruptcy in July and the local authorities have started selling assets from the city hall's patrimony, including archeological treasures and works of art from the Institute of Arts. The helmet, weighing 811 grams, is 24 centimeters tall and is richly adorned and gilded. According to the same sources, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has asked the Romanian consul in Chicago to find out the prices for these objects, following which the Culture Ministry would send over a history specialist to negotiate buying the goods. The 4th century Dacian helmet was formerly in the collection of Franz Tau, Vienna after being sold by Galerie Fischer, Lucerne in 1954. It has also been in the possession of Elie Borowski, Toronto. It was purchased by the Sarah Bacon Hill Fund. It is yet uncertain where the helmet was originally found and how it left Romania. More about the piece here. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Detroit Institute of Art website)