20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
179
A MORO CEREMONIAL STEEL HELMET WITH OPENWORK BRASS FILIGREE PLAQUES
Mindanao, Philippines, South East Asia, 19th century
A MORO CEREMONIAL STEEL HELMET WITH OPENWORK BRASS FILIGREE PLAQUES
Mindanao, Philippines, South East Asia, 19th century
With a pronounced domed skull terminating in a faceted conical tip, a flattened front beak visor, and slightly curved side ear flaps, the latter two elements hinged to the main helmet with either plain or rosette-shaped brass studs, the four exterior facets of the steel helmet embellished with openwork brass filigree plaques with classical Western-inspired motifs including a stylised conch shell, vegetal festoons, and a rounded fan, the edges of the whole helmet enhanced with brass chevron bands, the interior plain except for an old paper label reading "62 cleaned with Emery Pr(o)per - Orly" (?), mounted on a metal stand, the helmet widest diam. 24cm, ca. 29cm x 36.5cm excluding the stand.
Moro helmets were usually worn by native Muslims in the Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan regions in the Philippines, as a form to identify themselves from the non-Muslim communities. They tend to come in a variety of media ranging from more organic materials like horn, leather and hair, to the more durable metals brass, bronze and steel. Their shapes are quite distinctive and easily recognisable. Scholars have debated whether their original formal inspiration could have derived from morion helmets worn by European troops, mostly Spanish and Portuguese, in the 15th and 16th centuries, or from Japanese helmets of the beginning of the 17th century. Although their shapes are likely to have been inspired by foreign models, Moro craftsmen managed to distinguish their creations by adding Islamic art-inspired motifs and sophisticated arabesque patterns, which can be appreciated in the openwork brass plaques of the present example. For further reference, please see an 18th / 19th-century Moro brass helmet in the Museo de América in Madrid (acc. no. 13716), and another similar in the Weltkulturen Museum (Museum of World Cultures) in Frankfurt (acc. no. AG0309).
Sold for £1,968
A MORO CEREMONIAL STEEL HELMET WITH OPENWORK BRASS FILIGREE PLAQUES
Mindanao, Philippines, South East Asia, 19th century
With a pronounced domed skull terminating in a faceted conical tip, a flattened front beak visor, and slightly curved side ear flaps, the latter two elements hinged to the main helmet with either plain or rosette-shaped brass studs, the four exterior facets of the steel helmet embellished with openwork brass filigree plaques with classical Western-inspired motifs including a stylised conch shell, vegetal festoons, and a rounded fan, the edges of the whole helmet enhanced with brass chevron bands, the interior plain except for an old paper label reading "62 cleaned with Emery Pr(o)per - Orly" (?), mounted on a metal stand, the helmet widest diam. 24cm, ca. 29cm x 36.5cm excluding the stand.
Moro helmets were usually worn by native Muslims in the Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan regions in the Philippines, as a form to identify themselves from the non-Muslim communities. They tend to come in a variety of media ranging from more organic materials like horn, leather and hair, to the more durable metals brass, bronze and steel. Their shapes are quite distinctive and easily recognisable. Scholars have debated whether their original formal inspiration could have derived from morion helmets worn by European troops, mostly Spanish and Portuguese, in the 15th and 16th centuries, or from Japanese helmets of the beginning of the 17th century. Although their shapes are likely to have been inspired by foreign models, Moro craftsmen managed to distinguish their creations by adding Islamic art-inspired motifs and sophisticated arabesque patterns, which can be appreciated in the openwork brass plaques of the present example. For further reference, please see an 18th / 19th-century Moro brass helmet in the Museo de América in Madrid (acc. no. 13716), and another similar in the Weltkulturen Museum (Museum of World Cultures) in Frankfurt (acc. no. AG0309).
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 20th Jun, 2024
After much anticipation, Azca Auctions is delighted to announce their inaugural sale, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, taking place on Thursday 20th June at 11.00am BST.
The sale comprises over 250 lots showcasing the extraordinary diversity and celebrating the artistic craftsmanship of South, Southeast and Central Asia, as well as the Iranian plateau, the Middle East all the way to the Mediterranean shores.
This longed-for, inaugural auction opens with a remarkable Northern London private collection of Indian artefacts, previously unseen in the market. “An Eye for Detail” is meant to illustrate not only the artistic achievements and talents of Indian craftsmen, but also the multi-faceted cultural and religious reality the Indian Subcontinent managed to foster and keep alive throughout centuries. Three generations of collecting collide into a very personal, subjective and unusual selections of tools, vessels, paintings, accessories, photographs and decorative lots that range from £150 to £6,000 GBP, offering a chance to both seasoned buyers and new collectors to make their pick.
Following the private collection selection, the remaining 150 lots are divided between the Arts of South Asia and the Arts of the Islamic Lands, two worlds that, despite their substantial geographic distances, have always been tightly interlinked. Among the highlights, one can count a selection of eight official courtly album portraits of Mughal Emperors (lot 164); a large Qajar polychrome-painted moulded pottery tile with a banquet scene replicating the Safavid frescoes of the Chihil Sotun Palace in Isfahan (lot 206); and lastly, an elegant and intact 16th-century Ottoman Iznik plate with saz leaves and arabesques (lot 262).
Dive into a world of wonders and for any specific query, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Department, Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Viewing
Viewing will take place at the following address:
Metro Building, 8th Floor
1 Butterwick
London, W6 8DL
