Bengal Horse Artillery Officer’s Helmet 

Mid-19th century regimental uniforms were often quite elaborate, and those of the Gunners of the Bengal Horse Artillery were no exception. Formed in 1800, this arm was regarded as an elite unit within the Bengal Army (which was controlled by the Honourable East India Company).

This officer’s helmet reflects both the status of its wearer and the exotic location of his posting. Partly inspired by the heavy British cavalry helmet, its close-fitting black leather is wrapped with a simulated leopard skin turban, embellished with chains, and edged with a gilt and brass title band bearing a cannon at its centre.

The overlapping brass chin scales are anchored with elaborate rosettes and clasped by two finely detailed tiger’s paws. Above this rises a dramatic classical comb ending in the grotesque head of the gorgon, Medusa, and the flickering forked tongues of her writhing serpent hair. A long, scarlet horsehair plume cascades down from the comb which led their Afghan adversaries to dub them the ’Red Men’.