Tibetan helmet

endeavour192 · 18th October 2015, 10:33 PM

Hello,
I baught this helmet when i was in Lhasa (Tibet) in 1987.

I just wanted to know if it is an antique tibetan helmet (18e or 19e century), or if it is a fake ?
Best regards

Gavin Nugent · 18th October 2015, 11:44 PM

Short answer endeavour192, it is a modern helmet, despite what some very reputable arms and armour auction houses and some of the big three international names write about the type.

Gavin

Oliver Pinchot · 18th October 2015, 11:48 PM

Agree with Gavin, it is a modern copy.

endeavour192 · 19th October 2015, 12:29 AM

Thank you both for your quick answer !

And what about this buthanese sword ?

Gavin Nugent · 19th October 2015, 01:02 AM

The sword looks much better but without full disclosure of the blade I could not confirm as the art of sword making is still carried through to today...it does however show nice age patina.

Regards

Gavin

Timo Nieminen · 19th October 2015, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endeavour192

I just wanted to know if it is an antique tibetan helmet (18e or 19e century), or if it is a fake ?

In addition to the opinion above, I'll add that the lamellar neck-guard is laced incorrectly. Not just a little wrong, but completely wrong.

kronckew · 19th October 2015, 09:01 AM

bhutan swords are still part of the national dress, the king wears his frequently on state occasions. makes it harder to date them as they are actively being traditionally made as i type.

the king:

kronckew · 19th October 2015, 10:13 AM

also, the swords come in various lengths and grades. my 'villager' model:

David R · 19th October 2015, 12:09 PM

I had one of those, many years ago. I greatly regret letting it go, a very well made blade, very simply mounted.

dennee · 20th October 2015, 01:27 AM

That's a baanmok, a Lepcha knife from Sikkim. There are similarities to the working knives of Bhutan.

I have often wondered if the baanmok blades of the fullered type were made by Nepalese smiths.

18th October 2015, 10:33 PM	#1
endeavour192 Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 5	Tibetan helmet Hello, I baught this helmet when i was in Lhasa (Tibet) in 1987. I just wanted to know if it is an antique tibetan helmet (18e or 19e century), or if it is a fake ? Best regards Attached Images

19th October 2015, 12:29 AM	#4
endeavour192 Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 5	Thank you both for your quick answer ! And what about this buthanese sword ? Attached Images

19th October 2015, 09:01 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	bhutan swords are still part of the national dress, the king wears his frequently on state occasions. makes it harder to date them as they are actively being traditionally made as i type. the king: Attached Images

19th October 2015, 10:13 AM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	also, the swords come in various lengths and grades. my 'villager' model: Attached Images

18th October 2015, 11:44 PM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Short answer endeavour192, it is a modern helmet, despite what some very reputable arms and armour auction houses and some of the big three international names write about the type. Gavin

18th October 2015, 11:48 PM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 456	Agree with Gavin, it is a modern copy.

19th October 2015, 01:02 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	The sword looks much better but without full disclosure of the blade I could not confirm as the art of sword making is still carried through to today...it does however show nice age patina. Regards Gavin

19th October 2015, 12:09 PM	#9
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	I had one of those, many years ago. I greatly regret letting it go, a very well made blade, very simply mounted.

20th October 2015, 01:27 AM	#10
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	That's a baanmok, a Lepcha knife from Sikkim. There are similarities to the working knives of Bhutan. I have often wondered if the baanmok blades of the fullered type were made by Nepalese smiths.