Ceremonial Helmet

mid-18th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 378
The excellent quality and elaborate ornamentation of this helmet indicate that it was made for a nobleman, possibly of imperial status, or a very high-ranking military official. It is decorated with applied ornaments of gilt copper including the Buddhist mantra Om mani padme hum in Lantsa characters. The Lantsa alphabet was often used for sacred inscriptions in Tibet, China, and other Buddhist countries. The helmet is very similar to one worn by Emperor Qianlong in a famous equestrian portrait of him painted by the Jesuit artist, Giuseppe Castiglione, and another helmet that was donated by the emperor to a Tibetan monastery in 1757.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ceremonial Helmet
  • Date: mid-18th century
  • Culture: Chinese
  • Medium: Steel, copper, gold, silk, metallic thread
  • Dimensions: H. including nape defense 21 3/4 in. (55.2 cm); H. excluding nape defense 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm); W. 8 in. (20.3 cm); D. 10 in. (25.4 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 7.5 oz. (2027 g)
  • Classification: Armor for Man
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
  • Object Number: 36.25.5a
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.