Fine Oriental Steel Helmet from Bhutan or Tibet

 A fabulous oriental antique steel helmet in stunning condition. This form of helmet is related to those worn by the Yuan/Mongol tribes and the Chinese, similar forms were also worn in Nepal and down into India, often with the addition of a nasal guard. This example is a good quality piece for protection rather than ornamental, the steel bowl is thick and heavy and with a quality that suggests some form of watered or lamellar construction. The crown is mounted with a finial of chiselled silver, with silk strands of various colours still in place. The short protruding visor/eyebrow guard has chiselled scrolling decoration with traces of gold in the recesses showing this part was original richly decorated. The padded silk exterior remaining in exceptional condition, minor blemishes and fading, the interior with patterns and a woollen padded skullcap to the helmet bowl. The helmet ties/tassles all present. This particular form of helmet is usually attributed to Bhutan although it was adopted and used elsewhere, most noteably on the Tibetan Plateau and in Nepal and the northern provinces of India. The silk part rarely survive in such good condition as shown here, there is some minor separation to the leather around the helmet rim (see images). Bhutan/Tibet/Far East