19th century AD. A silver plated war and ceremonial mask helmet of Khula Khud type, representing a demon with hooked nose, grooved moustache, oval eyes and strongly marked double eyebrows, triangular teeth, at the top and sides a band of foliate ornament, beautifully damascened in floral Islamic art pattern design; breathing holes for the mouth, nostrils and on the side of the nose; the edge marked with an embossed line. See for the use of war masks from Safavid, Timurid and Indo-Persian or Afghan cavalry Bashir, M., The Art of the Muslim Knight, The Furusiyya Art Foundation collection, 2008, pp.336ff. 771 grams, 24cm (9 1/2"). From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. War masks were worn mainly for two reasons: to keep the warriorÂ’s face safe and to instil fear in the enemy. In the Iranian, Indian and Afghanistan armies of 18th-19th centuries still existed the figure of the armoured cavalryman, and war masks were dressed in combination with Khula Khud helmets, giving to the warrior a terrific aspect in war and during the ceremonies. [No Reserve]