Helmet

Unknown

14th–17th century · Iron, gold, silver, turquoise · Arms and Armor

This extremely rare type of helmet is damascened in gold with a design known as the Three Jewels, a popular Buddhist motif representing Buddha, Dharma (Buddha's teachings), and Sangha (the community of believers). The solid construction of the helmet combined with the gold decoration indicate that this was a practical battle helmet, but made for someone of relatively high rank, who was probably a Mongolian follower of Tibetan Buddhism.

Artist

Unknown

Date

14th–17th century

Medium

Iron, gold, silver, turquoise

Culture

probably Mongolian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2002