Moro helmet

[Oliver Pinchot]

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.

[Oliver Pinchot]

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.

[Jim McDougall]

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!

[Battara]

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....

[fernando]

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.

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[Oliver Pinchot]

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.

[estcrh]

Here are a couple more images.

[Battara]

All of these great examples!

[Sentrad]

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

[fernando]

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


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[Oliver Pinchot]

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?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by fernando

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


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Fernando:

Thanks for the link to this excellent reference article.

Ian