Rare Antique 14-15th Century Islamic Central Asian Timurid Islamic Helmet

Extremely rare antique 15th-century Central Asian, Timurid Islamic Indo-Persian combat steel helmet.

The helmet's hemispherical skull is crafted by hand-hammering a single piece of solid steel. The interior shows visible hammer marks, while the exterior is entirely smooth.

The skull is adorned with a hand-chiseled in low relief series of eighteen narrow ribs radiating vertically from the top of the helmet. It is applied with a domed rosette riveted to the skull and decorated in cut openwork with a split leaves pattern.

A broad reinforcing band encircles the helmet's base, which is riveted and decorated ensuite with a rosette on top in an openwork pattern.

The front of the helmet is affixed with a moveable nasal guard flanked by two plates for plume holders (missing).

REFERENCES:

1. Related Timurid helmet is published in the Christie’s catalog, " Islamic and Indian Works of Art”. London.Lot.94.

Please see the link below:

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-3116558

2. Timurid warriors wear a similar ribbed helmet in the 14th-century miniature "The Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus," a Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) painted by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi.

Please see the link below:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/452637?searchField=All&sortBy=Date&ft=Abu%27l+Qasim+Firdausi&offset=40&rpp=20&pos=49

3. Also, related helmets are wearing Muslim warriors painted on Indian miniatures, dated 1425-50 AD, "Siyavash faces Afrasiyab across the Jihun River," by Master of the Jainesque Shahnama.

Please see the links below:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Siyavash_faces_Afrasiyab_across_the_Jihun_River.jpg

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Siyavash_is_Pulled_from_His_Bed_and_Killed.jpg

We will provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.

NOTE: During the 17th-19th century, the Indo-Persian Kulah-Hud helmets were sometimes adorned with a ribbed pattern and a band featuring a split-leaf pattern. However, instead of being applied with a reinforcing band cut in openwork and riveted to the skull, they were inlaid with gold or silver..

MEASUREMENTS:

The height from the top of the rosette to the skull to the edge: 12.5 cm (4.92 inches).

The diameter of the oval edge of the helmet's base at the widest point: 18.5 cm (7.28 inches).

Weight: 745 grams (1.642 lb.).

CONDITION: The helmet displays signs of age and use. There are some holes in the skull. These damages suggest that the helmet was used in combat and subjected to intense physical activity. The helmet's condition is a testament to its resilience and the courage of the warrior who wore it.

PROVENANCE: Ex-private old Canadian collection of Islamic art which also included antique arms and armor formed in the 1980s.