Sikh Helmet

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Date : 1700-1799 Location: Leeds Armouries This one of a small number of helmets, probably made in Lahore, with skulls or bowls shaped in the form of the Sikh turban. The rim of the bowl is lavishly decorated in gold onlay (koftgari) with a thick border of stylised foliage and flowers. The raised central element is outlined at the base with a thick line of koftgari, and has decorative cartouches to the front and rear, each filled with intricate scroll and leaf motifs picked out in koftgari. The attached aventail is made of fine butted mail of iron and brass arranged in a geometrical chevron pattern, with elongated points dropping down over the front and back of the shoulders. Unusually, the lining of the helmet survives. This is made of crimson velvet, hemmed with a green border of tougher fabric.