Helmet 1600s North India, 17th century Steel with gold and brass Overall: 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.); Diameter: 20.7 cm (8 1/8 in.) Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1919.62 LOCATION DESCRIPTION Mughal soldiers wore hemispherical steel helmets to battle. This helmet’s surface features decorative floral patterns created using a process called damascening, in which gold wire was hammered into steel grooves. A leaf-shaped guard slides down in front of the nose for protection. The short tubes on either side of the nasal guard were for holding plumes, most popularly black heron feathers or white aigrettes. The spike that would have been on the apex has broken off. Also missing is the stuffed cotton padding that lined the interior. Chain mail made up of interlocking steel wire rings protected the ears, neck, and shoulders. PROVENANCE Offerman Sale, Feb. 1919, cat. #300 Offerman Sale, Feb. 1919, cat. #300 CITATIONS Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 56, B43 archive.org EXHIBITION HISTORY The Cleveland Museum of Art (07/31/2016-10/23/2016); Art and Stories from Mughal India. Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).