Title

Khula Khud (Helmet)

Culture

Indian

Period

Late 18th-19th century

Medium

Steel, gold

Museum

Harvard Art Museum, Cambridge, MA

Description

The helmet consists of a steel bowl, which has been stained brown, decorated with swirls, arabesques, flowers, and geometric forms executed in gold false-damascening. Mounted to the top of the bowl is a plume holder with a carved lotus flower base. It is decorated with flowers in gold false-damascening, and would have held feathers of either a heron or peacock. Screwed to the front of the helmet is a nasal guard that terminates, at both ends, into a triangular shape with scalloped edges. The latch system of the nasal guard and the screws that secure it to the helmet are datable to the 19th century. The entire nasal guard is decorated with flowers, swirls, and geometric forms. The nasal guard is flanked by two plume holders, which are also riveted to the bowl. The aventail is made of small, very fine riveted steel links that are connected to the helmet by larger links. The aventail terminates into three dags; two on the sides so that they drape down the shoulders, and one in the back so that it drapes down the back of the neck. The helmet was intended for ceremonial or processional purposes.

Uploaded: 2025-05-28