PERSIAN KULAH KHUD HELMET IN FINE KOFTGARI ca.1800s

This beautiful kulah khud is profusely decorated in gold and silver koftgari,and engraved with human figures, birds, and floral patterns. Looking at the helmet from the op, one can see that it is evenly divided in 8 sections, separated by the star-like tendrils. Each section contains a Koranic inscription, done in silver koftgari. Iron skull is oval, approximately 21 cm x 18 cm. The original adjustable nose guard bracket and the two side plumes are intact; top spike is long gone. Outside surface is profusely engraved with human figures and floral cartouches in relief, on the border is a band with inscriptions in Arabic, probably Koranic verses, all in fine silver koftgari; several chain-mail rings are still attached to the edge. It dates to the Qajar period.