Antique 17th century Indian Sikh Turban Helmet Taup Mughal India

An antique 17th-century North Indian, Mughal-period Sikh helmet (Taup) in the form of the Indo-Persian Kulah-Khud.

The helmet of distinctive Indian Sikh form with hemispherical shallow skull is formed by hand-hammering a single piece of thick, solid steel.

The top of the helmet is applied with a domed rosette riveted to the skull and surmounted by a short, stout spike.

The helmet's front is affixed with the hinged fitting for the nasal guard, flanked by two plume holders with terminals resembling a stylized peacock tail.

The skull's rim is reinforced with a narrow band and pierced with holes for attaching the camail.

The helmet's surface is finely hand-carved with intricate interlocking scrolling floral decoration. The interior is lined with old Indian hand-printed cotton fabric.

The Sikh helmets have a larger skull diameter compared to regular Kulah-Khud helmets because of the wearers' long hair. Additionally, these helmets do not feature the Arabic calligraphy inscriptions present on most Indian Muslim warriors' Kulah-Khud helmets, nor do they display figures of deities as seen on Indian Hindu warriors' Kulah-Khud helmets.

REFERENCES: The Sikh Museum website publishes a Sikh helmet of similar form decorated with comparable scrolling floral decoration.

http://www.sikhmuseum.com/helmet/sikhhelmets/index.html#21

These Indian Sikh helmets were crafted from the early 17th century to the late 19th century. This particular helmet we are selling is an example of a 17th-century turban (Taup) helmet.

Several similar (Taup) helmets dated by Indian experts from The National Museum of New Delhi to the 17th century are published in the book "Indian Armours in the National Museum Collection Catalogue" by G.N. Pant and K.K. Sharma on pages 44-45. Figure 13/14, 46-Fig.1 5, 49-Fig. 21/22, and 54-Fig.29/30.

For more information on the Sikh Turban (Taup) helmets, please see the link below:

http://www.sikhmuseum.com/helmet/turban/adoption.html

The buyer will receive a copy of the pages from the mentioned references, together with a certificate of authenticity.

NOTE: We would like to inform our clients that the market is filled with reproductions of Indo-Persian arms and armor, including helmets, which inexperienced collectors can easily mistake for authentic artifacts. We want to clarify that the Indo-Persian antique helmet we offer for sale is 100% authentic, a 17th-century helmet. Furthermore, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure its genuineness.

MEASUREMENTS:

The diameter of the oval edge of the helmet's base at its widest point is 21.5 cm (8.46 inches).

The height from the spike's top to the skull's edge is 18 cm (7.09 inches).

Weight: 574 grams. (1.27 lb.)

CONDITION: Considering its age, it's in good condition with a lovely old patina. Lacks of nasal and camail.

Please see all 11 pictures in the listing since they are part of the description.

PROVENANCE: Ex-private old Canadian collection of Islamic and Indian art, including antique arms and armor, formed in the 1980s.