A Gold Inlaid Traditional Persian Armour Suite, of Helmet, Shield & Arm Defence. The Kulah Khud,(کلاه‌خود) Sipar (سپر), and Bazu Band (بازوبند). Late 18th to Early 19th Century, Possibly Wootz Steel { Pulad}

A simply stunning suite of original armour comprising the traditional Kulah khud, dhal, and bazu band. Most likely made in Isfahan

A very fine set of Persian armour consisting of a shield; sipar (سپر), helmet; kulah khud (کلاه‌خود) and armguard; bazu band (بازوبند) for the left hand. Such sets often come with only one bazu band, and curiously, it is always the left one like seen here.

The helmet has a hemi-spherical skull, pierced with four heart-shaped panels each fitted with an iron plate within a moulded frame, the skull fitted at its apex with a low spike, a pair of plume-holders at the front and with a staple for a sliding optional nasal guard, decorated over the greater part of its surface with gold koftgari flowers and foliage and mail neck-defence of butted links; the bazu band of a gutter-shaped form, fitted with hinged inner arm-defence, each decorated with gold and silver koftgari foliage, and chain mail covering for the hand of butted links, and with a padded lining; and the dhal somewhat in the size of a buckler of shallow convex form, the outer face applied with brass and gold and silver koftgari inlay foliage and flowers and decorated with silver koftgari foliage enriched with gold flowers: Koftgari is the name for Indian form of Damascening used on Indo-Persian armour and weaponry, which also closely resembles the Damascening found in Persia and Syria.

The inlay process begins after the piece is moulded and fully formed. The intended design is engraved into the base metal and fine gold or silver wire is then hammered into the grooves.

The base metal is always a hard metal, either steel, iron or bronze, and the inlay a soft metal, either gold or silver. This combination prevents the base from deforming when the wire inlay is hammered into the surface and results in the inlaid areas being well defined and of sharp appearance.

Swords, shield and armour were often decorated in koftgari . Persian arms and armor enjoyed widespread fame across the world and naturally found their way to the armories of Ottoman and Indian rulers. Aside from fine craftsmanship, the Persians were known to produce very fine wootz, most notably in the city of Isfahan.

Armours such as this fine suite could be used by the guard of nobility or Ta'zieh

The Ta'zieh were religious passion plays that recounted the tragedy of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. They were performed at set dates and local royalty, and even the Shah himself, took great pride in organizing them in the most lavish manner:

"Among the " properties " may be reckoned horses, mules, camels, etc, all richly caparisoned; lions and other wild beasts from the Shah's menagerie; carpets, shawls, dresses, and suits of armour of every description; European uniforms for the Feringhi ambassador and his suite, who intercede with Yezid for the lives of Hussein's family; and an endless variety of ornamental objects old and new. Some months ago the Shah ordered a collection of ancient metal vases to be made, to add to the splendour of the next Tazieh."

-Robert Murdoch Smith, 1876



Fine sets of Persian arms and armour thus found their way through export to the palaces of Ottoman and Indian rulers but also to the arms panoplies that were commonly found in the homes of European gentlemen, particularly in Britain. The British traditionally always had a great fondness of this form of high quality, exotic Asian weaponry, helmetry and armour.

Code: 21499