Lot 188:
A RARE SUDANESE HELMET AND SHIELD
Description
The deeply-domed steel helmet surmounted by a turned spike finial, with separately-applied brow plate and adjustable nasal, the long, split ring camail terminating in three points. Helmets of this type were made in England, reputedly by Wilkinson Sword, Pall Mall, London, who is known to have supplied 600 helmets to the Khedive (Ruler) of Egypt for his bodyguard, known as the Zirkhagi, or Iron Men, and a distinctively Sudanese shield formed of a single large section of hide with modeled central boss retaining a hardwood grip. Latter 19th century. Helmet with minor wear, shield well worn. A percentage of William Hicks’ 1000-man cavalry force at the ill-fated Battle of Shaykan, fought against the Sudanese Mahdi (November 1883) were either Iron Men, or bashi bouzouks wearing their armor. It is likely that many of these armors fell into Sudanese hands at that time; many were captured back after the British-Egyptian victory at Omdurman (1898.) See quite similar in the Royal Armouries, Object Number XXVIA.3 D. Height of helmet 57cm./ 22 3/8 inches. Condition III
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