Helmet
Unknown Artist
probably ca. 1342–57
Medium
Steel, silver
Dimensions
H. 8 in. (20.3 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 4 oz. (1031 g)
Classification
Helmets
Culture
Central Asian or Russian, Blue Horde
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, by exchange, 2007
Accession Number
2007.86
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking steel helmet, likely crafted around 1342–57, hails from the Blue Horde—a western division of the Mongol Golden Horde that dominated Central Asia and parts of Russia during the 14th century. Standing just 8 inches tall and weighing a manageable 2 pounds 4, it was designed for a mounted warrior, balancing protection with mobility in the vast steppes. Its Central Asian or Russian origins reflect the cultural crossroads of nomadic Turkic-Mongol traditions and Islamic influences, as hinted by Arabic script tags, possibly inscriptions invoking protection or faith. Forged from durable ...