A Brass Helmet From South Sudan

CharlesS · 19th June 2017, 03:51 PM

Brass helmets are not unknown in West Africa south of the Sahara, but in the east they are less well known. Here is an example of a rather rare one from the Lopid(and likely other surrounding peoples) of the south Sudan. I am guessing it is an early 20th century piece.

The helmet is 8in. high(minus the plume) and 6in. wide, and is 8 roughly made hammered brass plates fitted on to a shell made from matted hair and resin creating a sort of inner helmet. For comfort's sake it is likely something else as worn as a sort of liner.

An old postcard of a Lopid warrior with a practically identical helmet in included.

estcrh · 20th June 2017, 07:52 PM

Warrior helmet Lotuko / Luntu - Sudan Plant fibers - earth - brass - ostrich feathers H .: 33 cm - Diam .: 20 cm Warrior helmet helmet whose brass plates ensure effective protection. Beautiful example.

Casque de guerrier Lotuko/Luntu - Soudan Fibres végétales - terre - laiton - plumes d'autruche H.: 33 cm - Diam.: 20 cm Casque heaume de guerrier dont les plaques de laiton assurent une protection efficace. Bel exemplaire

Oliver Pinchot · 20th June 2017, 08:23 PM

The last phrase should read, Belle exemplaire, Beautiful example

estcrh · 21st June 2017, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

The last phrase should read, Belle exemplaire, Beautiful example

Oliver, noted and changed.

Tim Simmons · 21st June 2017, 11:49 AM

Like it lots.

colin henshaw · 27th June 2017, 01:32 PM

A fine piece, congratulations.

Major P H G Powell-Cotton mentions these Latuka helmets in his book "In Unknown Africa", 1904 and here is a relevant extract.

CharlesS · 27th June 2017, 10:08 PM

Great stuff Colin! Makes me think twice about trying to wear it though!

Thanks for your contribution!

19th June 2017, 03:51 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Brass Helmet From South Sudan Brass helmets are not unknown in West Africa south of the Sahara, but in the east they are less well known. Here is an example of a rather rare one from the Lopid(and likely other surrounding peoples) of the south Sudan. I am guessing it is an early 20th century piece. The helmet is 8in. high(minus the plume) and 6in. wide, and is 8 roughly made hammered brass plates fitted on to a shell made from matted hair and resin creating a sort of inner helmet. For comfort's sake it is likely something else as worn as a sort of liner. An old postcard of a Lopid warrior with a practically identical helmet in included. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 19th June 2017 at 06:26 PM.

20th June 2017, 07:52 PM	#2
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	Warrior helmet Lotuko / Luntu - Sudan Plant fibers - earth - brass - ostrich feathers H .: 33 cm - Diam .: 20 cm Warrior helmet helmet whose brass plates ensure effective protection. Beautiful example. Casque de guerrier Lotuko/Luntu - Soudan Fibres végétales - terre - laiton - plumes d'autruche H.: 33 cm - Diam.: 20 cm Casque heaume de guerrier dont les plaques de laiton assurent une protection efficace. Bel exemplaire Last edited by estcrh; 21st June 2017 at 12:36 AM.

27th June 2017, 01:32 PM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	A fine piece, congratulations. Major P H G Powell-Cotton mentions these Latuka helmets in his book "In Unknown Africa", 1904 and here is a relevant extract. Attached Images

20th June 2017, 08:23 PM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	The last phrase should read, Belle exemplaire, Beautiful example

21st June 2017, 11:49 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Like it lots.

27th June 2017, 10:08 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Great stuff Colin! Makes me think twice about trying to wear it though! Thanks for your contribution!