The crown composed of panels of colored silk, concealing a cap of lamellar armor, made up of tiny steel plates laced tightly together, and enclosed in the heavily-padded lining. At the peak is a spherical finial, of finely embossed and engraved silver; a stepped and engraved silver brim of typical form protects the eyes. The helmet retains its long, profiled cheek- and neck-flaps, the deep red and blue silk covering enriched with silver embroidery, together with its rawhide chinstraps. With broad ring of woven fabric panels encircling the bowl intact. Mid 19th century. Rarely encountered, particularly in fine condition. Ex-collection Burt Kerr Todd, Pennsylvania-born entrepreneur –adventurer. Mr. Todd visited Bhutan by royal invitation in 1951, an account of which appears in the December 1952 issue of National Geographic Magazine. The helmet was presented to Mr. Todd by His Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who, consistent with his modernization policies, retained Mr. Todd as an economic advisor to Bhutan. Mr. Todd began instituting a system of regular postage stamps which went into use in Bhutan in 1962. He passed away in 2006. Photo courtesy of the New York Times, May 7, 2006. Overall height including flaps 36.5 cm._x000D_
Condition II_x000D_