India, Persia. An 18th Century Top (Kulah Khuds) Helmet

A helmet and decorative head piece in steel, the skull featuring a dome point with a socket for a spike or plume, movable nasal bar displaying a leaf shaped pattern, two partial plume holders, and multiple small holes around the band for the aventail (hanging skirt of chainmail). The skull presents hand chiseled floral and creeper designs in medium relief with golden koftgari. Measuring 200 mm in diameter at the base and roughly 140 mm in height. Overall, there is slight pitting, the tubes of the plumes have broken off, missing spike, and only 6 total remaining rings of the aventail/chainmail. Remains very fine. 

Footnote: A kulah khud was a primary form of head protection for cavalry and elite warriors in Persia, Mughal India, and neighboring regions from the late medieval period into the 18th century. Designed to be worn with mail armor, it provided effective defense against sword cuts, arrows, and light firearms while remaining light enough for mounted combat. Its form evolved from earlier Persian and Timurid helmets and spread widely through trade, warfare, and imperial influence, becoming standard equipment for Safavid, Mughal, and Deccan forces. By the 18th century, as firearms became dominant, the kulah khud gradually shifted from battlefield use to ceremonial and symbolic roles, often distinguished by increasingly elaborate decoration.