Sutton Hoo Helmet (sculpture)

Designed to have a "fierce presence",[1] it is inspired by the fragmentary appearance of the reconstructed helmet rather than the glistening replica made by the Royal Armouries.

Steel is Kirby's favoured medium, allowing the sense of scale and dramatic impact found in Sutton Hoo Helmet.

[9] Their work included the overall planning of the estate, the design of an exhibition hall and visitor facilities, car park, and the restoration of the Edwardian house.

[1] Kirby's works then included several public commissions, among them a sculpture outside St Thomas' Hospital, unveiled by Princess Margaret in 2000, and another in the Calne town centre, announced by Queen Elizabeth in 2001.

[12] The National Trust Sutton Hoo Helmet was winched into place above the entrance of the exhibition hall on 26 February 2002, ahead of its official unveiling in March.

[1] The sculpture intentionally emulates the fragmentary appearance of the helmet's second reconstruction, reassembled from 1970 to 1971 by Nigel Williams,[22][23] rather than the glistening replica made by the Royal Armouries.

[13] Sutton Hoo Helmet was described by the National Trust as "fantastic—such a striking image and it has a real wow factor",[1][19] and by the East Anglian Daily Times as an "iconic" sculpture greeting visitors to the site.

Colour photograph of the sculpture Sutton Hoo Helmet by Rick Kirby
Sutton Hoo Helmet outside the Sutton Hoo visitor centre
Colour photograph of the Sutton Hoo helmet
The Sutton Hoo helmet
Colour photograph of an exhibition by Rick Kirby
2015 solo exhibition by Kirby at Axle Arts in Bath , showing the maquette for Sutton Hoo Helmet [ 6 ]
Colour photograph of the exhibition and treasury hall at the Sutton Hoo visitor centre, outside of which hangs the sculpture Sutton Hoo Helmet by Rick Kirby
Sutton Hoo Helmet in its original location at the Sutton Hoo visitor centre