{"product_id":"original-persian-qajar-19th-century-etched-kulah-khud-steel-war-helmet-with-figural-decoration-mail-aventail-fixed-nasal-bar","title":"Original Persian Qajar 19th Century Etched Kulah Khud Steel War Helmet with Figural Decoration, Mail Aventail \u0026 Fixed Nasal Bar","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an impressive original Persian Qajar-period kulah khud, or khula khud, dating to the 19th century and retaining its chain-mail aventail, central spike, paired plume holders, and elaborately decorated steel skull. The helmet is especially notable for its extensive figural and animal decoration, including mounted figures, tigers or other large felines, floral ornament, and additional engraved motifs across the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel skull is of the classic hemispherical Persian form and is densely ornamented with etched and chiseled figural scenes. Among the surviving motifs are figures on horseback, large felines or tigers, and scrolling vegetal designs. This decorative vocabulary is strongly characteristic of Qajar-period Persian armor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur helmet is etched and chiseled steel covered in oriental designs, with a fixed bar in the front center. This would sometimes slide down to cover the nose area, but this one does not. The bar is a bit loose, swinging from side to side, but is still solid. The designs include people on horseback, tigers, and a multitude of other motifs. The circular bowl shaped helmet is fully surrounded with a chain mail coif leaving an opening for the face, but there is some disconnection of the chainmail in places near the face. In addition to the Spike to the top there are two plume holders, one on each side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fine overall condition, this is a lovely example of what would become the war trophy of some Officers who took part in Queen Victoria's Colonial Campaigns. It is roughly size 7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the Persian Qajar figural decoration, mounted hunting scenes, feline motifs, central spike, paired plume holders, substantial nasal defense, and surviving mail aventail makes this a particularly strong example of 19th-century Persian armor. The exact date remains uncertain, but the decorative vocabulary and construction fit comfortably within the Qajar period and are closely paralleled by documented museum and auction examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the Kulah Khud Helmet:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKulah Khuds (known as top in India and Devil mask among English speaking arms collectors) were used in ancient western Asia for battle and as decorative head pieces. This style of helmet originated in Central Asia, and were worn by [Persian Empire] soldiers in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Made of steel, these bowl-shaped helmets were designed as either low and flat, or high and pointed. They sometimes contained a spike socket at the top of the helmet, which resembles a spearhead with a cross-like section. Two or three plume holders were attached on either side of the skull, used to mount feathers from birds such as the egret.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet had an iron-and-brass or brass-and-copper male aventail that hung at the base of the helmet to protect the neck, shoulders and the temple of the face. Sometimes, the male aventail extended down to cover the eyes and the nose. The low end of the male aventail was often shaped in a triangular pattern so they stood relatively affixed on the front and back side of the warrior's shoulder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bar made of iron or steel was attached to the front of the helmet with a bracket and could be adjusted in position - so when not in use, it could slide upward and fasten with a link, a hook, or a set screw. The two ends of the bar expanded into leaf-shaped plates, forming a final. In some Indian tops, the lower end of the bar was designed as a large crescent-shaped metal guard that protected most of the face below the eye level. One rare version of the helmet included three irons protecting the nose and the cheeks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45721730351173,"sku":"ONMS26004","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/5EA80BB1-15D3-4111-9734-B875785B78F2.jpg?v=1790484051","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-persian-qajar-19th-century-etched-kulah-khud-steel-war-helmet-with-figural-decoration-mail-aventail-fixed-nasal-bar","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}