Khud kulah helmet and separate rondache, Iran... Lot 224

Khud kulah helmet and separate rondache, Iran qâjâr, 19th century Hemispherical steel helmet with engraved and chased decoration of repeated figures of two cherubs on either side of a vase on a plant background, punctuated by radiant sunny faces treated with repoussé. At the base of the helmet, a frieze of cartouches with Persian inscriptions in Nast'aliq. At the top of the helmet, a dîv's head in the round with inlaid spiral decoration, a four-sided point surmounting its skull, its mouth housing the flowered end of a central nasal flanked by two plumail holders. Leather-covered interior; the circular steel shield with four repoussé solar faces emerges from an engraved decoration of four mandorles enclosing a fleuron on a floral background, a frieze of cartouches and medallions with Persian nasta'liq inscriptions running around the perimeter. The reverse is trimmed with leather and features a handle. Some elements inlaid with gold. H. helmet: 31.5 cm; diam. rondache: 46 cm A few accidents and knocks, oxidation, helmet camail missing, inlays largely erased, leather lining worn. A Qajar Kulah Khud Helmet and a Shield Separ, Iran, 19th century