Eight Plate Helmet in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2011

Eight-Plate Helmet
8th–10th century

possibly Tibetan


Object Details

Title: Eight-Plate Helmet

Date: 8th–10th century

Culture: possibly Tibetan

Medium: Iron, copper alloy, leather

Dimensions: H. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm); W. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); D. 9 in. (22.9 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 4.5 oz. (1034.8 g)

Classification: Helmets

Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2002

Accession Number: 2002.226

A forerunner of the classic Tibetan eight-plate style, this helmet appears to be the earliest extant helmet, and possibly the earliest piece of metal armor with clearly distinguishable Tibetan characteristics. It includes a unique combination of features found on various forms of segmented helmets with riveted construction, which were in use across Eurasia from about the fourth century onward. Features specific to later Tibetan helmets are the basic eight-plate construction, the subtly cusped edges of the outer plates of the helmet bowl, and the distinctively Tibetan form of the plume finial.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/arms_a...