A Rare early Ottoman turban helmet, Turkey, 14th/15th century

of tall conical form, embossed with fifty curved flutes, surmounted by a finial of conventional form, fitted with an eventail of rivetted links suspended from a rod through seven iron vervelles (rings) fixed around the border, eye cut-outs with turned up borders, chiselled with the St Irene Arsenal Mark

In overall good condition, with minor cracks on turned up borders above eye-cut-outs, corrosion to the interior consistent with age, 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."

This helmet can be compared to some of the earliest surviving Ottoman turban helmets. A number of helmets of similar form are to be found in the armouries of the Topkapi Saray, originally from the St. Irene Arsenal and now house in the Military Museum, Istanbul such as the 'Orhan' helmet (no.15723) (Askeri Muze -Military Museum, Istanbul, 1993, p.42). The border and eye cut-outs are all unencumbered with reinforcing strips evident on later examples, and this helmet may be identified as an early example of the 'plain tradition' (Petsopoulos 1982, pp.27-29).

The method by which the eventail is attached was introduced on European helmets in the 1320s (Blair, 1958, p.68). It is currently unclear if the invention was of European or Oriental origin.

A related turban helmet sold in these rooms, 16 October 2002, lot 56.