Here is a very fine and rare early Qajar helmet. It has domed skull, fitted with an additional band around the base pierced with calligraphic panels between cartouches filled with exotic birds, decorated over its surface with spiralling panels of gold koftgari scrolling foliage, with tall central spike rising from a pierced base, a pair of plume-holders at the front, sliding nasal pierced at the top and bottom en suite with the skull and retained by a thumb-screw, all decorated with matching designs of gold koftgari, original mail neck-defence of brass and steel links and complete with its padded red fabric lining. 10 1/4in high. Minor losses to links. Very elegant gold design and great piercing work to the steel. A fine helmet.