CHINESE ELITE CAVALRY HELMET, LATE 18th-EARLY 19th CENTURY

Iron, made of riveted and forged segments with two piece skull, with waisted cylindrical top mount supporting a plume holder. A little over 10” height. The base pierced for a cloth and plate fall. Faceted brim. A helmet of the Army of the Eight Banners, elite mounted archers who served in the Qing Dynasty. Status, as with Samurai, was by class and hereditary