Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.21857/moxpjhg7pm
NEW SHINE OF THE QUAJAR HELMET FROM VARAŽDIN CITY MUSEUM
Sanda Milošević
; Hrvatski restauratorski zavod
Jelena Rančić
orcid.org/0000-0002-1873-9853
; Gradski muzej Varaždin
Abstract
Quajar helmet is one of the many items that testify to the long-term cooperation
between the Varaždin City Museum and the Croatian Conservation Institute
in the care of cultural heritage. The helmet is made of steel, it has a conical
shape, probably with a pointed spike on its top (unfortunately lost), two slots for
feathers and a chain shield for the neck. Its provenance is unknown but according
to the way of making, the type of material and decorative elements, it probably
constituted a kit with a circular shield inv. no. GMV 66636 and double axe inv.
no. GMV 66637. According to the way of making and the manner of joining the
chain rivets, it was formed after the middle of the 19th century, under the rule
of the Quajar dynasty. It was probably used in rituals rather than in wars, which
is related to the time of creation and the content of the text on the rim, and it
was maybe used in a played battle within the religious epic theatre Ta’zieh. This
ritual revives the battle of 680s at Karbala, which Shiites mark every year during
the ten-day period of Muharram. Conservation and restoration work included
the elimination of corrosion process in its entirety, works on the textiles used as
lining, the substitute of the links in knit band along the rim and the protection at
the end. The helmet is an example of a curator and restaurateur’s collaboration
around the final museum presentation of the object. It was decided that the
remains of the preserved gold decoration are visually well-functioning and there
is no need for additional intervention. The cooperation of these two institutions
has provided more precise dating and determination of the object itself.
Keywords
Qajar helmet; kulah kud; koftgari technique; restoration; museum presentation.
Hrčak ID:
231086
URI
Publication date:
24.12.2019.
Visits: 1.205 *