Moro helmet
 

The Moro aesthetic is powerful, one which their helmets embody nicely.
This one ended recently on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Philippine-S...p2047675.l2557
What is known about Moro weapons craftsmen? Were there itinerant smiths, comprehensive workshops...? Was there a division between steel forgers and brass workers, wood carvers and so forth?

Interesting and rare helmet! (How did I miss this one? :mad: )

Yes there was a division of specialties from steel/blade workers, silver workers, brass workers, wood carvers, etc.

And as far as I know they were not itinerant, but did other things besides working on weapons. Not too different from what I saw for example in Fez, Morocco where there is still a division of specialties and expertise.

I missed it too, Jose.... if a member of the Forum got it, I hope they'll post it.

Interesting that Moro craftsmen produced a range of objects. True in most of North Africa too, as you say. The Ottomans and Persians were a good deal more specialized, in fact they were organized into guilds.

I've been looking at the earflaps-- are they on backward? They don't seem to fit the apertures quite right.

Oliver, thanks for posting this, there are not many images available of this type of helmet. The seller lost a lot of money by posting it in the "collectibles" category, it should have been listed as antique armor. If it is authentic the buyer got a great deal.

From the pics this looks like a wonderfull example of the classic moro style helmet emulating European burgeonets. The inside pic is a touch fuzzy but from what I can see constructionally it is correct.

I believe they are on correctly. They have the same front/brim side set higher than the back/tail side seen in the European burgeonets which these sought to emulate http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/disp...278&fullsize=1 If you look at the 5th and 6th pictures in the auction you can see the curvature to the shape of the face that has been introduced into the cheek plates, if they were to be reversed the curved side for the contour of the back of the skull would be poking in twords the eyes which would be potentially dangerous. This is my personal opinion only based on the pictures available, looking forward to some one with more background on these Moro armour pieces to share their thoughts on it.

The opposite side of the helmet has some unusual damage, almost like puzzle pieces missing from its comb. I wonder how that type of damage could occur...almost looks like thay were punced out. Perhaps these were weaker areas of the forged brass??

On the first picture you can see two old repairs at the ridge, maybe there has been a similar repair which break out again!? :shrug:

Is it just me or does this helmet have a theatrical look to it?

It is just you. ;)

Oh Andrew, I was going to say that.

Charles, the fractures look that way because the helmet is composed of brass-- although whether it is made up entirely of castings which have then been braised together, or is partially wrought, is not clear from the pics. In short, the fractures run along the boundaries of the microstructures in the metal:

I wouldn't mind concurring with digenis impression.
From a layman's point of view, this example looks much too stylized to be a faithful replica on an actual helmet model of the contextual period... ear protections giving it a 'composite' look and all that :o.
... notwithstanding this would be a master work ... as per experts around . :shrug:

Google "Man from La Mancha"... :)

Here an other example for comparison.

Despite its relative friability, I'm inclined to think brass made good helmets, since the Moro arsenal appears to have consisted largely, if not solely, of edged weapons. Had they, in addition, used percussive arms, clubs, maces, etc., this might not have been the case. There are two other known Moro helmet types; these are made of horn panels and brass mail (like the coats) or composed of a large number of pinned horn strips. I think the materials and structure of those fall into line with this argument as well. So, that alarming big hole and crumpling Charles is seeing on the comb of the helmet is a spot where it has been smashed, rather that cut, by something.

Incidentally, this is what Charles is referring to:

This is not the best angle for study, but this is a very similar, if not identical, helmet.

That's excellent, Charles.
The flaps on this helmet look like they're pointing opposite of the ones under discussion, to me. Anybody else seeing that?

I just found a reference to one of these that weighs over 6 lbs., it looks like Sajen's example. Seems like most, if not all, of this type is cast, then.

I don't really get your point Digenis. The character in some versions of Man of La Mancha might in fact wear a similar shaped helmet since the character is Spanish and these Moro helmets are based on a Spanish form, the Moro having been occupied by the Spanish for so many years. If you mean to suggest that the helmet up for discussion is a stage prop i would think you are way off base.

How Quixotic of you. ;)


It's the real-deal. However, I can understand how someone with little or no prior exposure to Moro helmets would think that.

I simply stated that the helmet in question looks somewhat theatrical. If the gentlemen commenting on my post took the the time to read what I wrote they would see that I never questioned the authenticity of the item. Nor did I claim any sort of expertise regarding Philippine weapons or armor. However, I stand by my original comment: The helmet is flamboyant and looks very similar to what has been used as a prop. in theatrical productions. That this is an apparently authentic example does not detract from the previous statement of fact.

The way the ear flaps are situated now they are almost certainly clanging against the helmet. I wonder if they were removed, switched up incorrectly, or put on backwards at some point?

Both ear flaps from another helmet or later replacements perhaps? {As they would both seem to be slightly oversize not just reversed looking at the fit to the cut recesses?

That's judging from ebay pics. :shrug:

spiral

Disgenis, i have indeed taken the time to read you posts. I then followed up with questions to inquire what you meant by your statements. If you have taken offense that was not my intention, however i don't appreciate your inference that i have not taken the time to read you. I can assure you that as a moderator on these forums i read posts very carefully. But you haven't really written much, have you, so it is not unusual that i might question your meaning.The helmet may look theatrical to you if you have no reference point to historical helmets of the type, either Moro or the European helmets on which they are based. Perhaps someone might recommend some good reading material for you on the subject.

digenis:

If I offended you, please accept my apologies. I was under the impression you were being playful with your La Mancha reference, and was attempting to be playful in return.

The helmet is no more "theatrical" than the myriad sword-like-objects used in productions like Romeo & Juliet, etc. To the uneducated eye, those props look "real." To the educated eye, they look like props.

Andrew

Here are three Moro armors. The first two should help contextualize the solid brass helmets a bit. The last pic is also brass, but made of mail and brass plates.

I agree with Charles, the earplates appear to hit the helmet when they pivot. I think they were reversed at some point-- it looks like they're only held on by a pin. They might be replacements, too.

This is a very unusual example of earlier Moro armor in a Spanish museum (unspecified, unfortunately.) It follows the lines of a Spanish burgonet and cuirass very closely. Both are made out of kerbau horn, with brass mounts on the helmet. The contrast between the dark, polished horn and burnished brass must have been striking.

From "Oriental Armour", H. Russell Robinson, 1967, p.124:
"...closer imitation of Spanish armour was achieved in the Moro brass helmets which were frequently cast in sections and joined together by brazing. The burgonet type helmets had the correct hinged cheekpieces, although a little shorter than the European originals, and not joined under the wearers chin".

The overall appearance of this example seems to lean toward the burgonet form rather than the more publicized combed morion seen in illustrations of Spanish conquistadors. The morion had the raised brim on front and back, and typically did not have cheekpieces as far as I have known.

Robinson also notes that although Spanish officers in the 16th century wore the morions aboard the ships apparently and the Moros must have seen many of them, but they did not have as much appeal as the burgonets, which were also present.

Regarding the 'theatrical' comments, I would point out that in many cases these anachronistic forms of armour used in the tribal regalia in many instances may seem quite so, and in many cases may appear humorous so jestful suggestions certainly should be taken as intended.
I can recall cases of studying similarly 'anachronistic' armour being worn by warriors in Bornu and Sudan with mail and helmets which were sometimes adorned with tableware such as forks and spoons. Obviously these could be seen humorously as well, but in the perception of the warriors these were status oriented items of Europeans they had encountered and were worn signifying that.

Oliver, thank you so much for posting this example, as well as the fascinating other examples. I knew little on these and its great to learn more on them!

Folks, this helmet in question is very common and typical in construction and style. Yes these were based on 16th century Spanish helmets of similar construction. As shown in the picture of the Maranao data warrior the had a section for a plume of flowers and vegetation which would make it even more "costume-ish" for American/European eyes. Remember though that in this region of the world flamboyance was not seen as a detriment. Similar flamboyance was seen all over Indonesia, at once time in Malaysia, as well as the Philippines. Variations in piercing and okir would be present, but the basic form would be the same.

I do agree that the ear flaps are on backwards. And by the way, the Maranaos were and are still known as great artisans in brass/bronze working. Some of this is still being made today in Marawi City in Maranao country.

This went for a steal - wish I had found it.... :mad:

Perhaps we may conclude that 'theatrical' and 'flamboyant' are not so distant adjectives; which take us to conclude that the first was not so misplaced ... taken in the due context, of course.
After all, even the original examples where these helmets were replicated from, already had their touch of exhibitionism.
Oliver not minding, i am here attaching a few images of the original stuff for your perusal, presumptiously assuming that these are not so easy to find out there.
An woodcut of a European Captain of War (collection R. Daehnhardt) and a set of pictures of the period of Spanish King Philip II, both from the XVI century.

.

Thanks, Fernando. The images make a useful record of the European antecedents of this type of Moro helmet. And as you say, the engravings serve to remind us that a great deal of pride was associated with military skills and accoutrements, a concept which was central to every culture that used them. For this reason, the embellishment of arms and armor, to whatever degree, was likewise universal.

There are some rare insights to be had from cultures like the Moro groups, which produced, or at least used, armor into the 20th century, particularly against (and alongside) repeating firearms. Members with more specific knowledge than what has been discussed above, or who at least have further examples of Moro helmets or armor, kindly chime in.

Here are a couple more images.

All of these great examples! :D

They really are, thanks estcrh. The postcard is helpful, too.

Generally then, there are several forms of Moro helmet. At least one is modeled on a fully-developed form of burgonet from the second half of the 16th century, characterized by a pronounced peak, comb and neckguard. Cheekplates, the other key characteristic of the prototype burgonet, are likewise present but substantially minimized in the Moro adaptation. This type of Moro helmet does not appear to be influenced at all by the morion (although sheet brass helmets made in Sulawesi in the 17-19th century duplicate them with a remarkable degree of detail.)

The original helmet I posted also has what appears to be some Neoclassical influence... or not. It could be that its simple, elegant, sweeping lines were adopted from parade helmets produced in Italy during the same era as the burgonet, which were popular among the Spanish nobility (given the popularity of Italian armor throughout the Mediterranean in this period, and the Aragonese Kingdom of Naples.) But it could as likely be a case of parallel development, in which Moro smiths simply refined and streamlined the design for their own purposes (lighter weight, less raw material and ease of manufacture, for example.)

Thus, what emerges from this very rudimentary examination is a tendency toward two subtypes of burgonet-style helmet produced by Moro smiths:

1) which more closely follows the lines of its European prototype, and tends to be embellished with a greater amount of pierced work

and

2) a seemingly lighter, simpler form which has little or no pierced decoration

I hope these very tentative conclusions will stimulate further discussion and discovery.

Two more helmets
 

I am really very glad, that Oliver opened this thread to get more information about the armour of the Southern Philippines / Northern Indonesian region. As far as I know, both Portuguese and Spaniards introduced helmets of the Comb-Morion and Morion-Cabasset types made of steel and of bronze. Still today similar local made helmets are in use during festivities in the Bangsamoro region, the Northern Moluccas and Northern parts of Sulawesi, made out of copper alloys. Most of them are of brass, which is cheaper, but not as hard as bronze. Brass helmets are normally not as old as bronze helmets.
Originally Comb-Morions out of the Bangsamoro region had ear flaps, but nearly all I saw missed them or had later made replacements and I believe without having the helmet of the above mentioned eBay auction in hand, it is difficult decide wether the ear flaps are original or not. As far as I remember the Moro helmets in the Naval Museum and the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Madrid are complete pieces with ear flaps and cheek pieces, perhaps one of our Spanish members could check how they look like?

Here are my helmets:
A Comb-Morion, greenish-brownish patinated bronze, with one plume holder; a crack int the peak guard; ear flaps are missing,
and a Morion-Cabasset, brownish patinated bronze, three plume holders, some holes in the corpus (corrosion? faults of the casting?).
(I did not make metallographical analyses, to check the components of the alloy.)

Udo

By the way
 

I could (and should) have mentioned that the paper i took the pictures from, in my post#30, were found HERE.


,

Thanks Udo, these are great contributions.
Your Moro helmet is of the form I'm calling type 2, as noted above. Can we see images of the interior, please?

The Sulawesi helmet is beautifully wrought and embossed. As a group, these tend to be very uniform in their construction and decoration. I've noticed that in older references, this type is usually ascribed to European craftsmen. But after examining several in hand, I find nothing to support this. There is a good thread on these helmets here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ulawesi+helmet The last entry by VVV is especially informative and just above that, Kino provided a nice photo of the Sultan of Celebes and his bodyguard, all of whom are wearing them.

By contrast, Sulwesi helmets are wrought of sheet, and so are far lighter than their Moro counterparts. It's well known that the Moros fought in armor; is there any data that indicates these helmets were worn in battle in the Moluccas and Sulawesi?

Salaams Oliver, It is great to see your posts... Although I tend to be engrossed in Arabian ethnographics I have to say this subject you have launched is very tempting to read into...Thank you !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaam ya karim. La shakr al wajib!
My focus has always been the Middle East and Central Asia. It's a pleasure to explore this part of the Dar al Islam with our forum colleagues.

Fernando:

Thanks for the link to this excellent reference article.

Ian