- 105
An Aqqoyunlu steel Turban Helmet, Turkey or Persia, second half 15th century
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- steel
- H. 26 cm; D. 22 cm
the base of cylindrical form rising to a swollen band of diagonal flutes narrowing to a pointed apex housing a fixing for a finial, the indents for the eyes and part of the base with a slender band of steel riveted above piercings for attaching mail, engraved and formerly silver-applied decoration composed of two broad bands of angular and scrolling script (undeciphered), traces of silver, engraved with the tanga of the Ottoman arsenal of St. Eirene
Condition
Some sections missing from fluted area and around base, missing finial, decoration originally applied with silver, now largely missing, section of applied steel band missing, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
Around the rim
al-'izz al-da'im (?) ....
'Perpetual glory.... '
A very closely related helmet with a similar inscription is in the collection of the Bargello Museum, Florence (Florence 2002, p.50, no.3). The two helmets share the same form, the unusual feature of diagonal fluting and their use of an eccentric script derived from Eastern Kufic. The Bargello piece also carries the tamga of St. Eirene and indicates that both helmets came to be stored in the Ottoman arsenal.
The turban form of helmet is most commonly associated with the Aqqoyunlu, the Turkoman tribe who were defeated by both the Ottomans and internal strife. Variants of the helmet carry inscriptions relating to the king of Shirvan and to Sultan Bayezid II.