A Sudanese Ansar's Helmet, Late 19th Century

A Sudanese Ansar's Helmet
Late 19th Century
With two-piece domed steel skull secured together by a rivetted medial band and surmounted by a circular boss with bud-shaped finial, retaining faint traces of gold-damascened decoration overall including Arabic inscriptions around the rim, wing-headed screw for an adjustable nasal (missing), short camail of riveted and solid rings, and complete with its fabric-covered quilted cotton liner (worn and distressed) with a burgundy tassel at each corner (surface rust overall) (2)
57.5 cm. high