COUNTS, CELTS, AND OLD COLLECTIONS. THE HISTORY OF AN EXCEPTIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICALDISCOVERY: THE CELTIC “GRAVE” FROM SILIVAȘ (I)

This paper is the first in a series examining the history and cultural significance of the decorated Celtic helmet from the grave of Silivaș, which belonged to Count Teleki Domokos’ private collection. That collection, which included items from significant archaeological sites in Transylvania, reflects the political and intellectual dynamics of southeastern Europe in the early 20th century. As a noteworthy example of the La Tène period military equipment, the helmet warrants a re-evaluation of its history a century after its initial publication. Using a microhistorical approach, the paper traces the biography of this significant Celtic assemblage and the interconnected lives of stakeholders – state officials and private collectors – united by a shared interest in the past. Spanning the late Austro-Hungarian Empire through the interwar period to the aftermath of World War II, it highlights the assemblage’s navigation of public and private spheres amidst political and cultural upheaval. Focusing on Count Domokos Teleki and his engagement with the Transylvanian Museum Society, the paper investigates the fate of his private collection during World War I. By using unpublished archival materials and correspondence, it reconstructs the assemblage’s discovery, exchange, display, and scholarly treatment while exploring the emotional and intellectual contexts of those involved. The Mureș River serves as a symbolic boundary reflecting the shifting identities of that era. Ultimately, this narrative illustrates how material culture and personal motivations intersected with broader historiographic trends, providing new insights into Transylvania’s cultural legacy during a pivotal moment.