Random chosen pictures of the Oriental beauties

Rivkin · 19th May 2005, 12:11 AM

It says that the helmet is Circassian. Well, all northern Caucasus helmets (osethian, circassian etc.) seem similar to each other (at least to such an ignoramus as me).

Jens Nordlunde · 19th May 2005, 10:27 AM

Hi B.I., Here is the translation. Although it must have been written after the exhibition in Poland in 1978, it is written in strange Danish.

The helmet belowe comes from the same museum, and the text says, short as it is: Ancient Mogul helmet.

86. Helmet. Circassian, 1785-86. Made by Ali, son of Khadzji Baki. Steel, silver, textile, braid; gilding, Niello, engraving. Height 20.2; diameter 17.1. Origin: prior to 1926 – Marble Palace(?), Leningrad; after 1926 – Eremitage. Inv. No. 3331. Exhibited: Poland, 1978. Bibliography: Bron Kaukazu, page 20, no 5.

The form of the helmet reproduces the types of the Middle Age and the decorations are made in Circassian style. Among the inscriptions which are part of the ornamental composition, the maker Ali, son of Hadzji Baki, is mentioned twice, year 1200 H. (1785-86) and the owner Inajat Krim Girej Bek. It is well known that this type of helmets were part of the parade equipment of the Mountain Lifeguard Squadron around 1840.

Rivkin · 19th May 2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

86. Helmet. Circassian, 1785-86. Made by Ali, son of Khadzji Baki. Steel, silver, textile, braid; gilding, Niello, engraving. Height 20.2; diameter 17.1. Origin: prior to 1926 – Marble Palace(?), Leningrad; after 1926 – Eremitage. Inv. No. 3331. Exhibited: Poland, 1978. Bibliography: Bron Kaukazu, page 20, no 5.

It's correct - Marble Palace, after 1926 - Hermitage.

Very interesting is attributing the ownership to Inajat Krim Girej Bek.
Does "Krim Girej Bek" mean "Girey, bek of Crimea" ? Then it's most likely that the owner was a crimean tatar (there were crimean circassians, but Girey is a tatar ruling family). The production of helmet then is most likely Kabarda - crimean khans used to send their children to Kabarda to study (atalychestvo).

Rivkin · 29th May 2005, 07:12 PM

I have to make a small correction - recently I've read some materials on tamga (coat of arms) of circassian clans. It seems that tremendous number of such clans beared tamga symbolizing their descent - typical ingush, osethian, georgian symbols are in no way can be considered as rare for circassian tamgas. Therefore I have to say that it's probably not enough to see an osethian symbol on the above mentioned helmet to attribute it as osethian - it can still be circassian, just bearing a tamge with an "osethian-like" symbol.

Btw I've just realized the name of this symbol - it's a threefoil swastika, so it's not that uncommon with other caucasian nations, but still originally it's more of an osethian one.

To those who love caucasian-celtic connections it's also known as celtic spiral.

Rivkin · 11th March 2006, 06:10 AM

I stand corrected - while Khan-Girey family descents from crimean Gireys, they were Bzhedug (circassian tribe) princes; I guess it may that son or grandson of this Girey, Khan Girey born in 1808 was a famous circassian writer/philosopher.

19th May 2005, 10:27 AM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi B.I., Here is the translation. Although it must have been written after the exhibition in Poland in 1978, it is written in strange Danish. The helmet belowe comes from the same museum, and the text says, short as it is: Ancient Mogul helmet. 86. Helmet. Circassian, 1785-86. Made by Ali, son of Khadzji Baki. Steel, silver, textile, braid; gilding, Niello, engraving. Height 20.2; diameter 17.1. Origin: prior to 1926 – Marble Palace(?), Leningrad; after 1926 – Eremitage. Inv. No. 3331. Exhibited: Poland, 1978. Bibliography: Bron Kaukazu, page 20, no 5. The form of the helmet reproduces the types of the Middle Age and the decorations are made in Circassian style. Among the inscriptions which are part of the ornamental composition, the maker Ali, son of Hadzji Baki, is mentioned twice, year 1200 H. (1785-86) and the owner Inajat Krim Girej Bek. It is well known that this type of helmets were part of the parade equipment of the Mountain Lifeguard Squadron around 1840. Attached Images

29th May 2005, 07:12 PM	#4
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	I have to make a small correction - recently I've read some materials on tamga (coat of arms) of circassian clans. It seems that tremendous number of such clans beared tamga symbolizing their descent - typical ingush, osethian, georgian symbols are in no way can be considered as rare for circassian tamgas. Therefore I have to say that it's probably not enough to see an osethian symbol on the above mentioned helmet to attribute it as osethian - it can still be circassian, just bearing a tamge with an "osethian-like" symbol. Btw I've just realized the name of this symbol - it's a threefoil swastika, so it's not that uncommon with other caucasian nations, but still originally it's more of an osethian one. To those who love caucasian-celtic connections it's also known as celtic spiral. Last edited by Rivkin; 29th May 2005 at 08:37 PM.

19th May 2005, 12:11 AM	#1
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	It says that the helmet is Circassian. Well, all northern Caucasus helmets (osethian, circassian etc.) seem similar to each other (at least to such an ignoramus as me).

11th March 2006, 06:10 AM	#5
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	I stand corrected - while Khan-Girey family descents from crimean Gireys, they were Bzhedug (circassian tribe) princes; I guess it may that son or grandson of this Girey, Khan Girey born in 1808 was a famous circassian writer/philosopher.