Helmet
15th century to 17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This typical Tibetan helmet may reflect Mongol prototypes introduced during the period of the Mongol overlordship of Tibet (1260-1368). The use of overlapping steel lamellar plates was an ancient technology in use from at least the 4th century AD in Central Asia and Sassanian Iran.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Steel and leather |
| Brief description | Component parts of a lamellar helmet, Dongtse Monastery, Tibet, ante 17th century |
| Physical description | A helmet composed of overlapping steel plates laced together with leather thongs. Four curved steel segments are thong-stitched to four cusped reinforcing plates on a thick woollen felt cap foundation. The brow piece is composed of a rectangular panel of several rows of lamellar plates stitched on a leather backing. There are also lamellar ear flaps and a neck defence lined with leopard skin. The finial for the helmet is absent. The skull cap is covered on the outside with coarse canvas. |
| Dimensions |
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| Historical context | Collected during the Younghusband Expedition to Tibet of 1903-04 |
| Production | Collected at Dongtse Monastery, Southern Tibet |
| Summary | This typical Tibetan helmet may reflect Mongol prototypes introduced during the period of the Mongol overlordship of Tibet (1260-1368). The use of overlapping steel lamellar plates was an ancient technology in use from at least the 4th century AD in Central Asia and Sassanian Iran. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 455:1 to 3-1905 |
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| Record created | February 8, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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