Have been researching the possibility of cloth covered turban helms from about the same time period as your helm, there are extremely few examples left in Islamic cloth covered helms, have only found a few examples so far and unfortunately the online photo's are copyrighted so cannot share.
Am not sure if the cloth covered ones were made in smaller numbers or not, but it does seem that there are fewer surviving examples that have the holes that allign as yours does to allow for it. In that sense it seems a rarer form. Just really like the subtle lines your helmet has, rings quality all the way through.....
The use of cloth(velvet?) definately makes for the possibilty of a more decorative helm.
rand
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