AN INDIAN GOLD-DAMASCENED (KOFTGARI) STEEL ARMOURIAL SET
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
Possibly Lahore or Punjab, Northern India, mid to late 19th century

Comprising a typical hemispherical helmet (khula khud) with frontal noseguard and plume holders, the steel surface decorated with gold-damascened radial design filled with scrolling vines and horizontal bands with stylised palmettes and floral medallions, attached to a shaped two-tone mail decorated in 'tiger-skin' pattern, the finial at the top now missing, 19cm diam. and approximately 14cm high excluding the mail; a pair of matching gold-damascened steel bazuband (armguards) decorated with floral sprays and similar horizontal bands with stylised palmettes and floral medallions around the edges, each 32cm long; a pair of white cotton-lined mail gloves with brown velvet backing, the mail presenting a similar two-tone effect to the helmet, each ca. 20cm x 19.5cm; and four matching steel breastplates, the largest two 26.5cm x 19cm.