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A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour Lahore, circa 1820(7) image 1
A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour Lahore, circa 1820(7) image 2
A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour Lahore, circa 1820(7) image 3
A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour Lahore, circa 1820(7) image 4
A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour Lahore, circa 1820(7) image 5
Lot 326

A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour
Lahore, circa 1820
(7)

25 October 2021, 11:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £15,250 inc. premium

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A set of gold-koftgari watered-steel armour
Lahore, circa 1820

comprising a helmet (khula-khud), two arm-guards (dastanas), two shoulder plates, and two armour panels decorated en-suite in gold overlay with bands containing undulating floral vines and bands containing alternating floral sprays and palmette motifs, the helmet with associated noseguard flanked by plume holders, the camail with steel and brass rings forming a zig-zag design, red velvet lining to interior, the arm guards with matching red velvet lining and attached red velvet gloves decorated with gilt-copper studs, one armour panel surmounted by green velvet panel in the form of a palmette, mounted
the larger armour plates 33 x 25 cm. max.(7)

Footnotes

This suit of armour is a fine example of work from the Lahore workshop. The high quality watered steel is embellished with typical bands of gold floral decoration. The velvet gloves and mount to the armour plate are rare survivors. The neckguard or camail, suspended from the bowl of the helmet, is of fine butted iron and brass links creating an elegant geometric zig-zag pattern known as 'Ganga- Jamuna' - the two contrasting colours representing the churning waters at the confluence of two of India's most sacred rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna.

Additional information